THE NEGATIVE-PRESSURE DEVICE FOR ERECTILE DISORDERS - WHEN DOES IT FAIL

Of 74 men with erectile dysfunction who used a vacuum device at home o nly 20 were satisfied with the erections achieved. The device was offe red only to men who had not been helped by sexual counseling, self-inj ection therapy or venous surgery, and to 8 patients who had had proble ms with a penile implant. Fibrosis reduces the chances of success with the vacuum device, and only 2 of 14 such patients used it successfull y. In all 9 patients with psychogenic impotence the device failed. Alt hough 9 men did achieve erections with the device, they disliked it so much that they did not begin regular use. Our disappointing overall r esult was probably due to negative patient selection.