Via practica 4/2023

Priapism – diagnosis, acute intervention

Priapism is a disorder in which the penis maintains a prolonged erection without adequate stimulation. Definitions vary as to duration, but any erection lasting four hours or longer is generally considered a diagnosis. There are three basic categories: ischemic, non-ischemic and recurrent ischemic priapism. Differentiating them is key to the next step. The article presents a current, comprehensive view of the etiopathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of this urgent condition. Priapism needs to be dealt with responsibly and quickly according to current medical knowledge and therapeutic options. However, many questions are still unanswered. In particular, understanding of the time point at which irreversible corpora cavernosa smooth muscle necrosis occurs due to low-flow priapism is limited, so definitive treatment of delayed or refractory priapism remains controversial. More studies are needed to better understand this rare but devastating condition.

Keywords: priapism, types, etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment