About Priapism Surgery
Key Highlights
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Emergency intervention to prevent permanent erectile dysfunction.Performed by a specialized andrologist with expertise in male reproductive health.Aims to quickly relieve pain and restore normal penile blood flow.Helps preserve long-term penile tissue health and function.Utilizes targeted surgical techniques to address the underlying cause of blood trapping.
Who is this surgery for?
- Ischemic (low-flow) priapism lasting more than 4 hours, which is a urological emergency.
- Failure of non-surgical treatments like aspiration or intracavernous injections.
- Recurrent episodes of priapism.
- Non-ischemic (high-flow) priapism that does not resolve on its own and causes discomfort.
- Priapism caused by sickle cell disease, leukemia, or certain medications that does not respond to initial management.
How to prepare
- Immediate emergency room evaluation; no delayed preparation is possible.
- Medical history review, including medications and underlying conditions like sickle cell disease.
- Physical examination and diagnosis via blood gas analysis from the penis.
- Administration of pain relief and possibly sedation or anesthesia.
- Consent process explaining the urgent nature and risks of the procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Infection at the surgical site.
- Bleeding or hematoma (bruising).
- Injury to surrounding structures like the urethra.
- Persistent or recurrent priapism.
- Erectile dysfunction due to tissue fibrosis or damage.
- Altered penile sensation or numbness.
- Penile deformity or shortening in rare cases.
- Anesthesia-related risks.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Immediate post-op: Monitoring for re-erection and pain management.
- The penis will be bandaged, and ice packs may be applied to reduce swelling.
- Avoidance of sexual activity and strenuous exercise for several weeks as advised.
- Follow-up appointments are crucial to monitor healing and erectile function.
- Possible short-term use of medications to prevent recurrence.
- Reporting any signs of infection, severe pain, or recurrent erection to the doctor immediately.
- Psychological support may be beneficial due to the stressful nature of the condition.
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Typical hospital stay: 1-3 days
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Expected recovery time: 2-6 weeks
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering priapism surgery in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with andrology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform priapism surgery. MediFyr helps you compare andrologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for priapism surgery compare across other countries where we have data.
Emma Johnson, a 28-year-old graphic designer,...
Emma Johnson, a 28-year-old graphic designer, had been managing sickle cell disease since childhood. She experienced her first episode of priapism, a painful, persistent erection lasting over six hours, during a recent crisis. Despite emergency room visits for aspiration and medication, the priapism recurred twice within a month, each episode causing severe pain and anxiety. Her hematologist referred her to an andrologist, Dr. Chen, who explained that recurrent ischemic priapism was causing irreversible damage to her erectile tissue. He recommended a distal shunt surgery to create a permanent drainage pathway. Terrified of potential long-term implications on intimacy and fertility, Emma felt isolated and scared. The surgery was performed under spinal anesthesia. The immediate relief from pain post-operation was profound. Recovery involved several weeks of discomfort and swelling, but with support from her partner and a therapist specializing in chronic illness, she adapted. While she has some degree of erectile dysfunction, the surgery successfully prevented further painful episodes. Emotionally, she moved from a place of fear and vulnerability to one of resilience and proactive management of her health.