Vacuum constriction devices: second-line conservative treatment for impotence.

Intracavernosal pharmacotherapy is not a universally successful treatment of impotence. Vacuum constriction devices are reported to be an effective non-operative alternative. This study investigated the value of these devices in 45 impotent men who had failed to become established on intracavernosal papaverine. Although 38 were able to obtain an erection-like state using a vacuum constriction device, only 12 were able to enjoy satisfactory sexual intercourse and, of these, just 7 men found them of sufficient benefit to warrant purchase. Success is not predicted by aetiology. Vacuum constriction devices are of some use, but a trial period of use should be allowed to each patient before purchase.