Treatment of erectile dysfunction by an external ischiocavernous muscle stimulator.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the therapeutic potency of an electrotherapy of striated ischiocavernous muscles in patients with erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Transcutaneous electrostimulation of striated ischiocavernous muscles by self-adhesive penile or perineal skin electrodes was performed in 48 patients with erectile dysfunction. 6/48 patients (R) responded to intracavernous pharmacotherapy while 42/48 (NR) did not show significant penile rigidity even to intracavernous papaverine/phentolamine/PGE1 triple drug medication.


RESULTS
Within the observation time of 3 months, 10/48 patients dropped out. 22/38 patients reported a penile rigidity for sufficient sexual intercourse whereby 3/22 NR required additional intracavernous pharmacotherapy. Penile rigidity could be objectivated by triple drug medicaton in 12/14 NR after ischiocavernous muscle stimulation (EIS) therapy. 5/6 R were treated successfully for premature erection loss. During EIS treatment neither discomfort nor complications could be observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Transcutaneous electrostimulation of ischiocavernous muscles is a new, noninvasive therapy for the improvement of penile rigidity. The clinical results underline the importance of the striated ischiocavernous muscles for penile rigidity.
Derouet
H
H
Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University of the Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
Nolden
W
W
Jost
W H
WH
Osterhage
J
J
Eckert
R E
RE
Ziegler
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010208:Papaverine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D010646:Phentolamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D010208:Papaverine; D010646:Phentolamine