Intracavernous injection of papaverine in paraplegic males

Intracavernous injection of papaverine (ICIP) results in an improvement of erectile function in impotent patients. We have treated with ICIP 22 spinal cord injured men with erectile disturbances. 20-30 mg of papaverine were injected into one of the cavernous bodies and the quality and duration of erections were controlled. A complete penile rigidity was obtained in 20 patients; 7 cases presented prolonged erections (more than 300 min); 9 patients reported significantly improved erections in the days after the procedure. 10 patients accepted instruction in self-injection. After a training period a sufficient quantity of papaverine was dispensed for 1 month to each patient and one intercourse weekly was suggested. At the monthly visit the patient was asked about results of injection, frequency of coitus and liver function tests and general examinations were performed. Our self-injection program is still going on, until now we have had no dropouts and all the patients resumed coital penetration.