Treatment of erectile dysfunction with external vacuum devices

In a retrospective study, the medical and psychological outcome of the use of external vacuum devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 190 patients was evaluated, using a questionnaire and a clinical examination. 1 10/190 patients (57.8%) answered the questionnaire. 22/110 patients (20%) r ejected the device primarily and 34/110 (30.9%) after a period of up to 16 weeks (primary rejection rate 50.9%). A secondary drop-out rate of 8/110 (7 .3%) was observed after an intermediate time of 10.5 months. 46/110 (41.8%) patients were long-term users (median 27.6 months, range 7-70 months). Lon g-term users were mainly patients who did not respond to intracavernosal ph armacotherapy. In the group of long-term users, 98% of patients and 85% of their partners were satisfied with the vacuum therapy. Complications were m inor (hematoma 9.8%; skin injury 2.2%). 69.8% of long-term users never had problems with the device. 74% of users reported regular orgasm. Vacuum ther apy is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment of erectile dysfunction with a limited primary acceptance and low drop-out rates in long-term follo w-ups.