Venous shunting as a complication to penile revascularization--a case report

As a serious complication to arterial penile revascularisation arterio-venous shunting was observed in a 60 years old male. The patient suffered bilateral obstruction of his pudendal arteries. Following revascularization using the left inferior epigastric artery he obtained good pulsation in the penis but no return of sexual function. Instead his general condition deteriorated. A follow-up angiogram revealed shunting of the contrast from the epigastric artery, via the penis, to the venous system. Venous ligation was carried out. The patient's general condition returned to normal status and he can now obtain rigid erections. Reconstructive arterial surgery for erectile dysfunction should never be carried out unless venous leak has been ruled out as a complicating factor.