EFFICACY OF THE VACUUM CONSTRICTION DEVICE IN PATIENTS WITH CORPOREALVENOUS OCCLUSIVE DYSFUNCTION

Objectives. The vacuum constriction device (VED) is an effective nonsu rgical treatment for erectile dysfunction. Its efficacy in specific pa tient groups, however, has not been extensively studied. Only one stud y to date has examined the use of the VED in patients with corporeal v eno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD). This study used a mailed questionnai re and no statistical analysis of the data, The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the VED in patients with documented CVO D. Methods. From 1989 to 1992, 294 patients chose to use a VED as trea tment for erectile dysfunction. All patients were evaluated with a tho rough history and physical examination, hormonal testing, glucose tole rance testing, and nocturnal penile tumescence studies, Ninety-eight p atients underwent additional vascular testing. When seen in follow-up, patients were asked to assess erection quality and overall satisfacti on with the device. Results. Fifty patients had documented CVOD (33 by cavernosometry, 16 by ultrasound, and 1 by cavernosography). Twenty-e ight patients (56%) were satisfied, 13 patients (26%) were unsatisfied , and in 9 patients (18%) satisfaction could not be determined. Thirty -eight patients (76%) achieved an erection of at least 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. There was no relationship between the severity of disease (a s measured by cavernosometry) and the rating of erection (Kruskal-Wall is test, P = 0.77) or satisfaction with the device (Fisher's exact tes t, P = 0.95). Conclusions. The VED is an acceptable nonsurgical treatm ent for patients with erectile dysfunction secondary to CVOD regardles s of severity. Its success rate is comparable to other therapeutic mod alities such as injection therapy.