Priapism

  • Trinity J. Bivalacqua
  • Helen R. Levey
  • Arthur L. Burnett
Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Current Clinical Urology book series (CCU)

Abstract

Priapism represents one of the greatest challenges in therapeutic management among erectile disorders [1]. Priapism is defined as a prolonged and persistent penile erection lasting greater than 4 h, unassociated with sexual interest or stimulation [2, 3]. It constitutes a true disorder of erection physiology, associated with risks of structural damage to the penis and permanent erectile dysfunction. It results from a disturbance in the mechanisms governing the regulatory control of penile detumescence and initiation/maintenance of penile flaccidity. However, the disorder is a poorly recognized condition by many medical professionals [3].

Keywords

Ischemic priapism Non-ischemic priapism Malignant priapism Erectile dysfunction Distal surgical shunt Proximal surgical shunt 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011

Authors and Affiliations

  • Trinity J. Bivalacqua
  • Helen R. Levey
  • Arthur L. Burnett
    • 1
  1. 1.The James Buchanan Brady Urological InstituteJohns Hopkins HospitalBaltimoreUSA

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