Citation
Tausch TJ, Zhao LC, Morey AF, Siegel JA, Belsante MJ, Seideman CA, Flemons JR. Malleable Penile Prosthesis Is a Cost-Effective Treatment for Refractory Ischemic Priapism. J Sex Med. 2015; 12; 824-6.
Abstract
Refractory ischemic priapism (RIP) can be difficult to treat, consuming significant healthcare-related resources. Acute insertion of a malleable penile prosthesis (MPP) has been reported as an effective therapy that treats the priapism and restores sexual function. We report our 6-year, urban public hospital experience with acute insertion of MPP in patients with RIP. We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients receiving MPPs for RIP from 2007 to 2013. Data analyzed included duration of erection, number of emergency room (ER) visits, hospital admissions, days of hospitalization, and postoperative course. Costs were estimated using standard Medicare reimbursement rates. Healthcare-related costs of treatment of RIP episodes in men presenting to our institution. During the study period, 14 men underwent MPP placement acutely for refractory priapism. Thirteen presented with RIP, and one had stuttering priapism over a 14-day hospitalization. Etiologies included sickle cell anemia (4/13, 29%), medication-induced (3/14, 21%), and idiopathic (7/14, 50%). Average preoperative duration of RIP was 82 hours with considerable consumption of health-care resources (average US $83,818 estimated cost, 4 ER visits [range 1-27], 2 hospital admissions [range 1-5], 1.5 shunt procedures [range 1-3], 5 irrigation and drainage procedures using phenylephrine injection [range 2-20], and 5 hospital admission days [range 2-14]). All patients were discharged within 24 hours of MPP surgery. The management of RIP is associated with multiple ER visits, prolonged hospital admissions, and significant resource utilization. MPP insertion is efficacious for the immediate resolution of refractory priapism, with potential cost and resource benefits.
Key Points
- Published in The journal of sexual medicine in 2014.
- Indexed in PubMed as PMID 25536880.
- Mapped to Prosthetics (AUS/IPP).
- Abstract available from PubMed and rendered as static text on this page.
Clinical Relevance
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