Immediate insertion of a soft penile prosthesis as a new option for a safe and cost-effective treatment of refractory ischemic priapism


Submitted: March 2, 2021
Accepted: April 20, 2021
Published: October 1, 2021
Abstract Views: 682
PDF: 325
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Authors

  • Franco Palmisano ASST Fatebenefretalli-Sacco, Luigi Sacco University Hospital, Department of Urology, Milan, Italy.
  • Valerio Vagnoni Andrology Unit, Department of Urology and Gynecology, Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
  • Alessandro Franceschelli Andrology Unit, Department of Urology and Gynecology, Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
  • Giorgio Gentile Andrology Unit, Department of Urology and Gynecology, Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
  • Fulvio Colombo Andrology Unit, Department of Urology and Gynecology, Sant’Orsola University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the management of refractory ischemic priapism (IP) by the immediate insertion of a soft penile prosthesis (sPP).
Patients and methods: We identified men affected by IP who underwent early sPP placement from May 2017 to October 2019. All patients underwent a detailed medical history review; intraoperative, postoperative features and adverse events were recorded. We evaluated the penile lengthening and bending, presence of complementary erection, ability to have sexual intercourse, postoperative sexual life satisfaction (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] questionnaire - question number 5). A cost-analysis was included.
Results: A total of six patients were identified. Median time (range) since onset was 78 (48-108) hours with a mean age (SD) of 33 (6.9) years. Median operative time (range) was 82 minutes (62-180). No complications were recorded. Median follow- up was 9 months (range 3-17). No significant loss of penile length, neither penile angulation was recorded. Despite a transient reduction of penile sensitivity, all patients reported satisfactory sexual intercourse (mean score question number 5 from IIEF-5 of 4). The cost of sPP was € 1769,00 with a surgeryrelated reimbursement fee from the National Health System of € 3856,75.
Conclusions: The insertion of a sPP for patients with refractory IP results in immediate pain relief, preservation of sexual function and penile size, with a higher surgery reproducibility in an emergency. In addition to this, financial and resource burdens of IP on the health-care system can be potentially reduced.


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Palmisano, F., Vagnoni, V., Franceschelli, A., Gentile, G., & Colombo, F. (2021). Immediate insertion of a soft penile prosthesis as a new option for a safe and cost-effective treatment of refractory ischemic priapism. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 93(3), 356–360. https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2021.3.356

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