Corporal aspiration and sympathomimetic injection for priapism: “Preprocedure preparation” and “procedural considerations”

Priapism is a prolonged and persistent erection that lasts more than 4 hours and is unrelated to sexual stimulation. Although uncommon, it requires expeditious treatment to prevent erectile function compromise. Corporal aspiration is the first-line treatment for patients with ischemic priapism. This article focuses on contemporary corporal aspiration techniques for the management of priapism. After obtaining informed consent and administering local anesthesia, corporal aspiration was initiated by inserting 2 large-bore butterfly needles into the penile shaft. Aspiration is then performed using 10-mL syringes to decompress the corporeal pressure, flush out clots, and restore the pH balance of the penis. Diluted phenylephrine (100–1000 μg/mL) is injected in 1 mL aliquots every 5 to 10 minutes until complete detumescence is achieved. The results show that the overall resolution rate using corporal aspiration followed by phenylephrine injection is 65% to 72%. Ninety percent of men experience detumescence success if aspiration and phenylephrine injection are performed within 12 hours. Conversely, 85% of patients with priapism may require penile shunt surgery if the priapism exceeds 24 hours, and in the majority of these patients, health care providers will consider placing a penile prosthesis if the priapism exceeds 36 hours. Corporal aspiration is the first-line treatment for priapism. When properly performed expeditiously, patients experience a high rate of detumescence. Ischemic priapism is a true urological emergency that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The advantages of using corporal aspiration as a first-line treatment include pain relief and the prompt restoration of circulation.