title: Treatment of erectile dysfunction with external vacuum devices.
abstract: In a retrospective study, the medical and psychological outcome of the use of external vacuum devices in the treatment of erectile dysfunction in 190 patients was evaluated, using a questionnaire and a clinical examination. 110/190 patients (57.8%) answered the questionnaire. 22/110 patients (20%) rejected the device primarily and 34/110 (30.9%) after a period of up to 16 weeks (primary rejection rate 50.9%). A secondary drop-out rate of 8/110 (7.3%) was observed after an intermediate time of 10.5 months. 46/110 (41.8%) patients were long-term users (median 27.6 months, range 7-70 months). Long-term users were mainly patients who did not respond to intracavernosal pharmacotherapy. In the group of long-term users, 98% of patients and 85% of their partners were satisfied with the vacuum therapy. Complications were minor (hematoma 9.8%; skin injury 2.2%), 69.8% of long-term users never had problems with the device. 74% of users reported regular orgasm. Vacuum therapy is a safe and effective non-invasive treatment of erectile dysfunction with a limited primary acceptance and low drop-out rates in long-term follow-ups.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Derouet
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Caspari
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rohde
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rommel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ziegler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003075:Coitus; D004542:Ejaculation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009948:Orgasm; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010410:Penile Erection; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply; D012747:Sexual Partners; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014618:Vacuum