Gerald Brock

High Flow Priapism: A Spectrum of Disease

We describe 4 cases of high flow arterial priapism, ranging from 1 week to 3 years in duration. The mode of presentation, evaluation using a duplex scanner, treatment and ultimate resolution are discussed. In 1 patient treated with ice compression the erection subsided spontaneously. One patient underwent percutaneous embolization and achieved detumescence. In 2 men a vascular pseudocapsule formed around the site of the ruptured cavernous artery that provided an important anatomical landmark for intraoperative localization. The ruptured branch of the cavernous artery was ligated in an open procedure. Based on these cases and a review of the literature, we outline a modified diagnostic and therapeutic approach for patients with high flow arterial priapism.

Pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction

During the past decade, our knowledge of the hemodynamics, functional anatomy, neurophysiology, and neuropharmacology of erectile function has evolved substantially. The change of smooth muscle tone has emerged as a key factor in erection and detumescence. However, future studies are needed to elucidate the cellular and molecular basis of erectile physiology. With insight into normal physiology we will understand the pathologic process and be able to treat it.

Intraoperative Electrostimulation of Cavernous Nerve: Technique, Results and Limitations

PURPOSE We studied the feasibility of inducing penile erection intraoperatively by stimulation of the cavernous nerves. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 16 men undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy and 6 undergoing penile surgery for venous leakage electrostimulation was applied to both sides of the prostatic apex (prostatectomy group) or the hilum of the penis (venous surgery group). RESULTS Electrostimulation produced visible erection in 8 of the 16 prostatectomy patients and an increase in intracavernous pressure in 5 of the 6 venous surgery patients. CONCLUSIONS Electrostimulation of the cavernous nerves intraoperatively to produce penile erection is feasible. However, the technique must be further refined to be clinically useful, that is to localize the neurovascular bundle in men undergoing prostatectomy.

Drug-induced male sexual dysfunction. An update.

SummaryImpotence, defined as the consistent inability to maintain an erect penis of sufficient rigidity for sexual intercourse, has been estimated to affect 10 million American men. An age dependence has been shown to exist, with 25% of men over age 65 affected. A large body of clinical experience and published reports in the literature link many commonly prescribed drugs with sexual dys-function.Drugs can affect sexual function at a variety of points such as inhibition of ejaculation or sedation/depression leading to reduced libido. Antihypertensive drugs have been most commonly associated with impotence. There have been reports of sexual dysfunction with almost all classes of antipsychotics, but little clinical investigation has been performed. Other drugs associated with sexual dysfunction include digoxin, clofibrate, cimetidine and various hormonal agents and antineoplastics.An important first step in approaching all impotent patients is the taking of a detailed medical, surgical, sexual and drug/substance abuse history. The least invasive form of therapy should be employed. Recent studies have shown intracavernous injections of alprostadil (prostaglandin E1) to be safe and effective for long term use. Vacuum constriction devices may also be of help. Better and more durable prostheses are now available should other treatment be unsuccessful.

Rat model for the study of penile erection: pharmacologic and electrical-stimulation parameters.

We report the use of a modified rat model for the study of the mechanisms of penile erection. In 92 Sprague-Dawley rats, the cavernous nerve was stimulated with different pulse intensities and frequencies, and the intracavernous pressure, time to maximal pressure and total duration of tumescence were measured. A maximal response was elicited at 20 pulses per second (pps) and 1.5 mA. Using this as 100%, we determined the relative pressure responses obtained with other frequencies: 5 pps, 57.3% (p = 0.007), 10 pps, 84.9% (p = 0.043); 30 pps, 99.5% (p = 0.832); 40 pps, 97.8% (p = 0.168); 50 pps, 90.9% (p = 0.021); 100 pps, 76.1% (p < 0.001). The time to maximal pressure varied with different frequencies, but was in all cases significantly different from the 20-pps response. Erection time during continuous cavernous nerve stimulation was significantly longer with frequencies below 20 pps (10 and 5 pps). In 30 rats, the physiologic response to intracavernous injection (0.03 ml) of acetylcholine, atropine, guanethidine, norepinephrine, phenylephrine, papaverine, terbutaline (intravenous also) and phentolamine was measured. Papaverine caused a dose-dependent rise in pressure; acetylcholine, atropine (a parasympathetic blocking agent) and guanethidine all had minimal effects. Phentolamine and norepinephrine increased systemic blood pressure, whereas phenylephrine decreased the intracavernous pressure in response to electrostimulation significantly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Peyronie's disease: a modified treatment☆

We evaluated 93 patients with complaints of sexual dysfunction and evidence of Peyronies disease. Duplex ultrasonography (10-MHz probe and 4.5-MHz pulsed Doppler test) in 87 enabled definition of their penile vascular response to an intracorporeal injection of a vasoactive agent. Vascular disease was present in 70 percent of the study population. Forty-four patients had a surgical procedure. Nineteen had plications using a simultaneous pharmacological erection, 3 had dermal grafts, and 3 with severe vascular disease had primary placement of a prosthesis. One patient underwent a single Nesbit procedure. In 18 patients, we incised the plaque and grafted a segment of the deep dorsal vein, using the expertise gained from penile venous surgery. In the vein-grafted patients, rapid return of suppleness of the penile shaft, use of only a single incision, and use of the patients own tissue, with the possible beneficial effect of endothelial-derived substances (nitric oxide) decreasing the risk of hematoma below the graft, support our belief that this modified technique may be superior to those presently in common use.

Can a venous patch graft be a substitute for the tunica albuginea of the penis

We describe our experience with plaque excision and placement of a venous patch graft. Sprague Dawley rats (n = 20) underwent excision of a wedge of tunica albuginea with the defect covered by a segment of detubularized femoral vein, endothelial side towards the cavernous tissue. Erectile function, as determined by the rise in intracavernous pressure with cavernous nerve stimulation (mean 54.0 +/- 4.2 cm. H2O), was equal to that in a group of 10 intact age-matched controls (mean 46.9 +/- 3.37 cm. H2O). Penile cross-sections stained with Harts elastic fiber stain or Trichrome stain revealed only minimal fibrosis in the region of the patch. In 3 dogs, a wedge of tunica was removed, and the defect was covered with a segment of detubularized deep dorsal vein. When sacrificed at 3 months, all animals had retained their erectile function with histologic evidence of minimal fibrosis. On the basis of histologic and functional data, the venous patch appears to be a reasonable alternative substance to those in common use.

Intracavernous sodium nitroprusside : inappropriate impotence treatment

On the basis of reports describing nitric oxide as a form of endothelium-derived relaxing factor and on our own experience with intracavernous use of nitric oxide-releasing substances in animal models, we undertook an approved human study of intracavernous sodium nitroprusside as a treatment for impotence. We report our early experience in which severe hypotension and only mild tumescence in our first 3 patients caused us to discontinue the trial.

A Prostaglandin E1 Dose-Response Study in Man

Because prostaglandin E1 causes erection by smooth muscle relaxation in a receptor-dependent manner, one would expect increasing dosages to cause a progressively greater response and that, at receptor saturation, further increases would not be beneficial. To test this hypothesis a single-blind, placebo-controlled study of increasing dosages of prostaglandin E1 injected intracavernously was done. In 16 men with vasculogenic impotence erections were monitored by the RigiScan device in real time for 2 hours after injection, and rigidity, tumescence and duration of erection were measured. Summary parameters to characterize erection with each dosage were developed: maximal rigidity, maximal rigidity sustained for 30 minutes and duration of greater than 60% rigidity. The dose-response curve was similar for all 3 parameters. The initial response to escalating doses of prostaglandin E1 from 2.5 to 20 micrograms. demonstrated a steep dose-dependent increase; at greater than 20 micrograms. a plateau was reached, indicating a nonlinear response. More than 80% of the patients attained the maximal response at doses of 20 micrograms. or less and less than 20% benefited from a further increase. Based on these results, the effects of prostaglandin E1 appear to be receptor-dependent and prostaglandin E1 monotherapy for impotence could be limited to 20 micrograms. or less, since larger amounts offer little additional benefit.

The Latissimus Dorsi Muscle for Detrusor Assistance: Functional Recovery after Nerve Division and Repair

The treatment of choice for bladder atonia is clean intermittent catheterization. To eliminate the catheter-related morbidity and increase the quality of life for patients with an atonic bladder, the restoration of bladder contractility would be desirable. Based on our hypothesis that skeletal muscle might augment bladder contractility, we designed the present study to examine the ability of the latissimus dorsi muscle in situ to empty a bladder-like reservoir and to regenerate after division and repair of the supplying motor nerve. In 4 dogs, the left latissimus dorsi muscle was dissected, mobilized and wrapped around a bladder substitute (100-ml. silicone reservoir). Stimulation of the thoracodorsal nerve resulted in the evacuation of 63.8 +/- 6.2% of the reservoirs volume and a maximum pressure of 109.5 +/- 18.6 cm. H2O. Four months later, the thoracodorsal nerve supplying motor control to the muscle was transected and microsurgically reanastomosed. Using transcutaneous stimulation, we recorded the pressure generation and resulting evacuation at regular intervals for 8 months (that is, 12 months after the initial surgery). At the end of this period, the pressure was 79.3 +/- 12.1 cm. H2O (72.4% of the initial value), expelling 48.3 +/- 6.7% of total volume. This long-term study demonstrates: (1) the ability of the transposed latissimus dorsi muscle to evacuate a bladder-like reservoir; and (2) the regenerative potential of muscle and nerve after nerve transsection and repair. Use of skeletal muscle, which can be readily stimulated, may serve to facilitate bladder emptying and provide a treatment alternative to intermittent catheterization in the future.