Embolotherapy for venous impotence: Use of ethanol

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of embolotherapy with ethanol for the t reatment of venous impotence, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients with venous impotence underwen t embolotherapy. The diagnosis of venous impotence was made by means of pha rmacocavernosometry and cavernosography. After exposure of the deep dorsal penile vein, a intravenous catheter was inserted directly into the deep dor sal penile vein and advanced into just front of the preprostatic plexus. Fi fty percent ethanol was injected through the catheter and the endpoint of t he procedure was determined based on results of venography immediately afte r injection. The procedure was finished when lack of venous leakage was con firmed. RESULTS: In all patients, the deep dorsal penile vein was successfully expo sed surgically, the sclerosing agent successfully injected, and the endpoin t successfully achieved. Immediate clinical therapeutic effect (restoration of erection) was obtained in 20 cases (87%). No severe complications were observed during or after the procedure. The follow-up period was 6-50 month s, Long-term therapeutic effect was confirmed for 18 of 23 patients (78%), CONCLUSION: The authors' findings suggest that this treatment had satisfact ory short-term and long-term clinical results and that longer follow-up is necessary to confirm its safety.