Management of Priapism in Sickle Cell Patients: Experience of the Urology Department of the University Hospital Centre of Libreville

Abstract

I ntroduction: Priapism is a rare pathology, known since antiquity. Sickle cell disease is the main aetiology in Africa. The aim of our work was to report our experience in its treatment. Material and Methods: This is a prospective, descriptive study carried out at the urology department of the Libreville University Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020. All sickle cell patients admitted to urology for priapism were included. The parameters studied were socio-demographic, clinical and therapeutic parameters as well as the evolution after treatment. Result: We collected 19 priapisms in sickle cell patients. The average age was 20.9 years with extremes of 4 and 53 years. Fifteen patients were homozygous SS. All patients had stasis priapism. The average consultation time was 22.4 hours. All patients had perioperative medical management combining hyperhydration, analgesia and antibiotic prophylaxis. A vasoactive drug was administered to 13 patients. Sixteen patients had a puncture of the corpus cavernosum. A distal cavernosal-spongiosum shunt under penile block was performed in 6 patients. The outcome was favorable from the outset in 12 cases, marked by complete detumescence of the corpus cavernosum. Partial detumescence was noted in 7 patients with the need for a new puncture of the cavernous body. A complication such as edema of the penis was in only one of our patients. A recurrence was noted in 2 patients. After an average follow-up of 6 months, no sequelae erectile dysfunction was observed. Conclusion: Priapism is a frequent complication among sickle cell patients in Libreville. Medical management associated with a cavernous puncture with administration of vasoactive drugs allows a favourable evolution without after-effects.