Penile Venous Stripping Surgery Seems a Viable Option for Treating Erectile Dysfunction Evidenced by Salvaging Benefits in Patients Who Underwent Unsuccessful Vascular Interventions

Background: Various penile vascular interventions are often controversial for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This study explores the efficacy of penile venous stripping for erection restoration in patients who underwent different vascular interventions in the past. Methods and Findings: From September 1999 to March 2015, 46 patients sought assistance after receiving vascular interventions elsewhere. The abridged 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), pharmaco-cavernosography, and prostaglandin-E1 test were utilized for evaluation. Thirty-three men underwent penile venous stripping, while 13 did not. The surgical procedure involved stripping deep dorsal and cavernosal veins and segmentally ligating para-arterial veins. Neither electrocautery nor suction apparatus was employed. Follow-up ranged from 1.0 to 16.5 years, and patients reported acceptable penile morphology postoperatively. Significant improvement in erectile function was observed in the treatment group. However, unexpected complications like embolization coils in cardiopulmonary avenues were documented. Conclusions: Penile venous stripping appears to be a viable option for patients with prior vascular interventions, warranting further evaluation through randomized clinical trials.