[Intracavernous self-injection in impotence]

On the basis of new diagnostic methods, 50 to 80% of impotent men show organic changes which are potentially responsible for erectile dysfunction. In our institution 409 consecutive patients have been submitted to the programme of intracavernous self-injection of papaverine. In 11% of the patients erectile function was normalized after a series of self-injections. 25% use papaverine regularly at home, and 64% discontinued the self-injections. Many of these patients did not accept this form of therapy. Side effects are rare and harmless. Early information about the intracavernous self-injection therapy by the physician can help to avoid unnecessary investigations.