[Intracavernous injections of vasoactive drugs. Contribution to the study of their value in erectile impotence]

The obtention of an artificial erection with a single intracavernous injection (ICI) of vasoactive drugs, has upset our conceptions about erection and the approach for erectile failure. If this pharmacologic stimulation increases the reliability of some erection tests, their diagnosis value is still questioned. The complexity of both erection and vasomotricity pharmacology, make difficult the understanding of the mechanisms of these ICI. Their therapeutic value is reduced to the method by self injections, new treatment for impotence, even if it concerns only few impotent patients. Finally, the experimental feature and the unquestionable morbidity of these ICI, mainly priapism, impede their large diffusion. However, in spite of these doubts, this intracavernous pharmacology is a real progress for erection and its troubles.