Priapism as a sequela of chlorpromazine therapy.

A patient developed priapism following a single intramuscular injection of chlorpromazine for hiccups. Conservative management was unsuccessful. During surgical intervention on the 15th hospital day, the corpora cavernosa of the turgid penis was irrigated and aspirated with heparinized saline using No14 gauge needles. The patient did well postoperatively. The physiology of the erection and the pathophysiology of priapism are discussed.