NONPROSTHETIC SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 45 IMPOTENT PATIENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY-OF-OULU

The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the outcomes of the patients with total erectile impotence who have undergone non-pros thetic surgery in our hospital and to make a decision concerning the c ontinuation of this treatment modality. The study series consisted of 45 operated patients, 21 of whom had undergone venous leakage surgery and 24 revascularization of the penis. The follow-up time was at least 12 months. The outcome of venous surgery after 6 months was initially good in 16 patients (76%) but declined in such a way that 12 months a fter the operation it was good only in 6/21 patients (29%). Despite th is, 11/21 patients were capable of intercourse after a prostaglandin E l injection 1 year from the operation. Altogether 17/21 patients (81%) benefited from venous surgery after 12 months. The outcome of arteria l surgery was good in 11/24 patients (46%) 12 months after the operati on. A moderate outcome was obtained in another 8/24 patients (33%), wh o were capable of intercourse after a prostaglandin El injection. Mino r complications occurred in 20% of the venous surgery patients; 25% of the patients with arterial surgery had complications and half of thes e were severe, resulting in glans hypervascularization. Our findings i ndicate that non-prosthetic surgery continues to have an established p osition in the treatment of severe impotence when all conservative tre atment modalities have been used.