Aetiological factors and management of priapism in Bristol 1978-1983.

Twenty-two patients with priapism presented in the Bristol clinical area during the period 1978-1983. Idiopathic priapism was present in eight patients only (36.4%) and identifiable causes were present in the remaining fourteen (63.6%). Fourteen various surgical shunts were carried out. Success of surgical treatment, as demonstrated by detumescence and maintenance of potency, was best achieved in those patients who were treated less than 12 hours following onset of priapism irrespective of whichever venous shunting technique was used (6 out of 7 patients--85.7%).