RigiScan versus Snap Gauge band measurements: is the extra cost justifiable?

Both RigiScan and the Snap Gauge band devices are used to objectively measu re penile rigidity. The Snap Gauge band is the more simple and inexpensive of the two techniques. We investigated the correlation between the results obtained by both devices in order to evaluate whether the Snap Gauge band c ould be employed as the sole method of rigidity evaluation while not affect ing the quality of diagnosis. Forty eight patients who were presented to our erectile dysfunction clinic used the two devices simultaneously, each according to the accepted protoco ls. Breakage of two and three strings of the Snap Gauge (good rigidity) cor related well with good tip and average rigidity as evaluated by the RigiSca n. Snap gauge results also correlated with duration of erection, number of erections, the number of adequate erections, and the longest duration of er ection measured by the RigiScan. Therefore, good rigidity according to the Snap Gauge test correlated well with the results of functional erections (n umber, rigidity, duration) as obtained by the RigiScan. The Snap Gauge band can be used to adequately evaluate penile rigidity. Rig iScan measurements, which are more complicated and more expensive, should b e reserved for selected patients in whom the results of the Snap Gauge band are inconclusive or when more detailed information is required.