title: Intraurethral prostaglandin improves quality of vacuum erection therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether intraurethral prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) improves vacuum-induced penile rigidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients with a mean age of 55 years (range 30-66 years) complaining of erectile dysfunction for 24 months (range 3-156 months) were investigated. The penile diameter was measured and a mark was made 50 mm proximal of the coronary sulcus on the flaccid penis. Twenty micrograms of liquid PGE1 (pH 4.5; 308 mosm/l) were instilled intraurethrally; thereafter the meatus was occluded for 10 min. Penile diameter and increase in length of the initially 50-mm line were measured with both pure vacuum-induced erection as well as combined with PGE1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The vacuum erection device alone lengthened the distance by 26 mm (range 18-64 mm) and the diameter by 4 mm (range 2-10 mm). Combined with PGE1, 36 mm (range 27-70 mm; p = 0.016) and 7 mm (range 2-11 mm; p = 0.04) were found, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that PGE1 significantly increases vacuum-induced tumescence. Optimized pharmacological preparations for intraurethral application are a new way to further improve vacuum-assisted erection.
authors.affiliation: Urologic Clinic, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lehmann
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hauri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D014521:Urethra; D014618:Vacuum; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil