PRIAPISM ASSOCIATED WITH SICKLE-CELL HEMOGLOBINOPATHY IN CHILDREN - LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON POTENCY

Purpose: Children with sickle cell priapism have traditionally been tr eated conservatively with surgery done as a last resort. Only sparse s ubjective data are available on the long-term assessment of potency in these patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed th e charts of all pediatric patients with sickle cell priapism who prese nted to Children's Hospital of Michigan between 1972 and 1992, and sub sequently assessed erectile capabilities subjectively by questionnaire and objectively by RigiScan.dagger Results: Of the 15 patients interv iewed 5 had undergone shunt procedures. The return of potency tended t o vary inversely with patient age at onset and duration of priapism. C onclusions: Shunts performed within 48 hours, especially in postpubert al children, seemed more likely to preserve potency.