Objective: To establish the efficacy of a vacuum device (ErecAid) in the management of organic impotence.
Design: Cohort study; questionnaire before and after a 6-month study period.
Setting: Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town.
Participants: A total of 19 men with organic impotence, 8 diabetic and 11 with previous pelvic surgery or radiotherapy.
Intervention: Vacuum device (ErecAid, Osbon Medical Systems).
Outcome measure: Efficacy of ErecAid.
Results: Six of 8 diabetics and 6 of 11 non-diabetics reported successful intercourse, while 16 of the participants would recommend the device to others. Some difficulty with the device was experienced by 11 and only 9 described an increase in self-esteem.
Conclusion: Although some difficulties may be experienced in the use of the ErecAid, it clearly has a role to play in the management of patients with organic impotence, who ideally should be able to select their preferred form of therapy.