The mechanism of infertility after high retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy was studied in 36 patients. In 35 patients infertility occurred because of unavoidable seminal vesicular and ductus deferential sympathetic denervation, with consequent aspermia. Potency and orgasm were unchanged in all patients and there was no evidence of retrograde ejaculation. The findings suggest that sympatholytic drugs be studied for possible application as reversible male contraceptives.
Cystometry, using a portable CO2 cystometer, is a convenient method for detecting autonomic dysreflexia (A.D.) in response to bladder distention. Serial tracings on successive days were found to be consistent. This method was used to compare the effect of the antihypertensive drugs, phenoxybenzamine and nifedipine, in modifying the blood pressure responses of 12 tetraplegic patients. Given as regular medication twice daily, neither drug was effective in preventing A.D. responses to bladder filling, and a significant number of patients developed troublesome hypotension. Nifedipine by mouth was found to be a valuable drug for the treatment of attacks which developed, and capable of preventing an anticipated attack if given shortly before the stimulus. The condition of 'status dysreflexicus' and its appropriate management is described.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.