Deep dorsal vein embolization with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate and lipiodol mixture in venogenic erectile dysfunction: early and late results

Background. The aim of the study was to perform and evaluate pelvic venoablation with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrilate (NBCA) and lipiodol injection into the deep dorsal vein for the treatment of 32 patients with venogenic erectile dysfunction. Methods. A total of 32 patients with the confirmed diagnosis of venogenic erectile dysfunction, with (n = 15) or without (n = 17) associated comorbidities were included. Deep dorsal veins were embolized with NBCA and lipiodol mixture. All patients were evaluated using the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (IIEF) before, at 3 months and 1 year after embolization. Results. While the post-operative 3(rd) month scores were increased significantly in all groups (p < 0.001), there was a significant decrease at 12(th) month when compared to that of 3rd month (p < 0.001). But this decrease was significantly higher than those of preoperative values (p < 0.001). In patients without comorbidities post-operative 3rd and 12(th) month scores were significantly higher than that of patients with comorbidities (p < 0.04 and p < 0.02, respectively). Although scores at 12(th) month were significantly higher compared to preoperative values, patients with comorbidities were dissatisfied with the quality of erection. Conclusions. Our pelvic venoablation technique was effective short-term. A limitation of this technique is that some patients are not candidates for this procedure due to comorbidites.