Implantation of penile prostheses in patients impotent after priapism

Review of recent implantations of penile prostheses done at Duke University Medical Center reveals 6 patients implanted for impotence secondary to priapism. Of these 6 patients, 5 had sickle cell anemia-induced priapism and 1 had idiopathic priapism. One patient had implantation of an inflatable prosthesis later followed by a semirigid prosthesis, 3 had implantation of a semirigid prosthesis, and 1 had an unsuccessful attempt at implantation of a semirigid prosthesis. The 5 patients with successful implantation have obtained satisfactory postoperative coital function. We believe that penile prostheses are beneficial in patients with impotence secondary to priapism. The degree of fibrosis encountered suggests that a semirigid prosthesis is more favorable, since the inflatable prosthesis may not overcome corporeal rigidity.