Objective To report the use of a natural erection induced by prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) in the diagnosis and therapy of congenital penile anomalies as an alternative to artificial erection, Patients and methods From February 1991 to December 1995 a natural erection was induced in 672 patients (mean age 5.7 years, range 12 months-47 years) to diagnose and treat congenital anomalies, e.g. simple penile curvature, chordee with and without hypospadias, epispadias, micropenis, cripple penis, etc, The dose injected intracavernosally was dependent on the patient's age, penile size and response, and ranged from 0.5 to 15 mu g. Results A natural dilatation of erectile tissue was achieved in all forms of penile anomalies except in seven patients who did not respond. The mean duration of erection was 80 min, but a prolonged erection, for up to 6 h, occurred in two patients, Conclusion The natural erection achieved by injecting PGE1 into the corpora cavernosa is a useful alternative to artificial erection in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital penile anomalies.
