The Negative Pressure Device for Erectile Disorders: When Does it Fail?

Abstract

Of 74 men with erectile dysfunction who used a vacuum device at home only 20 were satisfied with the erections achieved. The device was offered only to men who had not been helped by sexual counseling, self-injection therapy or venous surgery, and to 8 patients who had had problems with a penile implant. Fibrosis reduces the chances of success with the vacuum device, and only 2 of 14 such patients used it successfully. In all 9 patients with psychogenic impotence the device failed. Although 9 men did achieve erections with the device, they disliked it so much that they did not begin regular use. Our disappointing overall result was probably due to negative patient selection.