Histologic Evaluation of Prolonged Ischemic Priapism Using Winter Procedure with Percutaneous Distal Shunt Construction-Report of Two Cases

We present 2 cases of prolonged ischemic priapism in which corpus cavernosum tissue was obtained using the Winter procedure with an automatic biopsy needle for construction of a percutaneous distal shunt and the relationship with erectile recovery was evaluated. A 24-year-old male was referred to our hospital at 72 hours after onset of priapism. Conservative procedures failed to achieve detumescence. Thus, a Winter procedure, which creates a fistula between the glans penis and corpora cavernosa, was attempted and the patient was successfully treated. Corpus cavernosa biopsy findings showed a nearly normal cavernosal tissue structure. Improvement of erectile function sufficient for sexual intercourse was noted 3 months after the surgery. The second case was in a 51-year-old man suffering from painful priapism that occurred following percutaneous coronary intervention. He was referred to our hospital at 48 hours after onset. Conservative treatment was insufficient, whereas detumescence was obtained with a Winter shunt procedure. Corpora cavernosa biopsy findings revealed extensive fibrosis and erectile function was not improved at 6 months after surgery. Histological evaluation of the corpus cavernosum utilizing the Winter method was found useful for determining post-operative erection recovery in these cases of ischemic priapism.