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Comparison of a needle-free high-pressure injection system with needle-tipped injection of intracavernosal alprostadil for erectile dysfunction

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 498–501 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Patients identified from hospital records as using alprostadil injections for erectile dysfunction were invited to take part in this open crossover study. On alternate weeks eight patients were given intracavernosal needle injections and transdermal needle-free injection of alprostadil in a randomized order. Efficacy of injection and associated pain were assessed and compared for the two methods. Pain produced during injection was significantly greater with the needle-free system than with the needle-tipped injection whilst efficacy was significantly less. Bruising was reported in all except one patient following needle-free injection only. Patient ratings of the needle-free injector were significantly lower than ratings for needle-tipped alprostadil delivery and when asked to express a preference, every patient chose the needle-tipped injection over the needle-free device.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Pain Management Centre, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK

    L M Harding & A P Baranowski

  2. St Peter's Hospital, The Institute of Urology and Nephrology, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, The Middlesex Hospital, London, UK

    A Adeniyi & D J Ralph

  3. University College London, London, UK

    R Everson

  4. Department of Vascular Surgery, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Middlesex Hospital, London, UK

    S Barker

Authors
  1. L M Harding
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  2. A Adeniyi
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  3. R Everson
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  4. S Barker
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  5. D J Ralph
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  6. A P Baranowski
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Correspondence to L M Harding.

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Harding, L., Adeniyi, A., Everson, R. et al. Comparison of a needle-free high-pressure injection system with needle-tipped injection of intracavernosal alprostadil for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 14, 498–501 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900916

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900916

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