Caverno-saphenous shunt in the treatment of priapism.

The painful pathological condition of the penis, priapism, is usually associated with serious destructive changes which lead to impotence if treatment is with-held or delayed. Conservative therapy is slow, uncertain and usually ineffective. Early surgical decompression of the corpora cavernosa, repeated if necessary, is essential if impotence is to be averted. Two unusual cases of this condition recently seen at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, in which treatment had been delayed for periods previously thought to be too long for recovery are herein presented and the management described. It is advised that failure of the initial surgical operation calls for early re-operation to establish a new shunt.