[Impotence and corpus cavernosum leakage. Results after surgical treatment]

A consecutive series of 15 impotent men (mean age: 53 (range 18-65 years)) underwent venous surgery for abnormal drainage of the cavernous bodies. During the follow-up period (mean 19 months (range 10-34)), 11 patients became potent and sexually active. Three of the impotent men had had a primary venous leakage of the corpora cavernosum, and all these three had to be re-operated. Two achieved full potency. The three postoperative failures in the 12 patients with the secondary type of venous impotence occurred in one heavy smoker, one patient with severe arterial hypertension and one continued to be impotent until his death eight months postoperatively. It is concluded that erectile impotence due to pronounced leakage of the cavernous bodies should be treated surgically, and that the longterm effect is acceptable.