Shunt surgery for priapism: review of results.

In a review of the literature on shunt operations for priapism, 100 case reports were found. The over-all result in terms of potency is 61 per cent. In general there is little difference in outcome between the cavernosus-saphenous vein and cavernosus-spongiosum shunts. If the former surgical procedure is to be performed, a unilateral operation appears to yield better results than a bilateral one. Various causes of priapism are noted in relation to results of surgery, and the complications of shunt procedures are discussed. Equally good results are noted whether the operation is performed early or relatively late in the disease.