The ability of papaverine to induce erection was first reported by Virag in 1982 (1); in these years it has been successfully used not only for treatment but also for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunctions (2). Despite its effectiveness, local and systemic side effects of papaverine may often cause interruption of the treatment (3,4). A three-year experience with intracavernous injection of papaverine in a selected group of impotent men (42 submitted to cystectomy for bladder cancer and 47 with spinal cord injuries) is reported.
ViragR.: Intracavernous injection of papaverine for erectile failure. Lancet2: 938, 1982.
2.
ViragR., FrydmanD., LegmanM., ViragH.: Intracavernous injection of papaverine as a diagnostic and therapeutic method in erectile failure. Angiology35: 79, 1984.
3.
FuchsM.E., BrawerM.K.: Papaverine induced fibrosis of the corpus cavernosum. J. Urol.141: 125, 1989.
4.
HalstedD.S., WeigelJ.W., NobleM.J., MesbutW.K.: Papaverine induced priapism: 2 case reports. J. Urol.138: 108, 1986.
