QUANTIFICATION OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION DU E TO VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

From 1988 to 1990 venous ligation procedures were performed on a total of 53 patients with erectile dysfunction resulting from venous insuff iciency. Preoperatively all patients underwent dynamic pharmaco-cavern ography, cavernometry and nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity mea surement with the RigiScan(r)-Device (NPTR-measurements). A venous lea k was found in all patients by cavernometry (>10 mi maintenance flow). In 48 of 53 patients a complex venous leak could be found as the orig in of erectile dysfunction. Furthermore a statistically significant co rrelation (p=0.003) could be established between the A number of radio logically identified leaks and the degree of maintenance flow. Rigidit y demonstrated a significant correlation (p less than or equal to 0.05 ) with the severity of venous insufficiency as determined by cavernome try. In conclusion, rigidity documented by NPTR-measurement is a helpf ul criterion for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction due to venous i nsufficiency. Dynamic pharmaco-cavernography is not essential for the diagnosis of venous insufficiency because of false diagnoses of venous leaks and the lack of therapeutic concepts. Furthermore it remains op en to discussion whether pharmaco-cavernometry should also be omitted in view of the unsatisfying long-term results in venous surgery.