priapism with intracavernosal alprostadil
Last reviewed 01/2018
An erection lasting 4-6 hours is a medical emergency - in this situation the patient should attend the local accident and emergency department to avoid damage to the intracavernous muscle and blood vessels which could result in permanent ED
- patients should be advised initially to take light exercise such as going up and down stairs
- if the prolonged erection persists, a 19-gauge butterfly needle should be inserted into the corpora cavernosa to aspirate blood and thereby decrease intracavernous pressure
- further improvements can be gained by ‘washing out’ the corpora by injecting in saline and then withdrawing the saline and blood together
- if this is not effective or if the penis becomes rigid again, phenylephrine or adrenaline injection may be effective
A lower dose of alprostadil should be used for any subsequent injections (1)
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