This content is available free to the GRU Community. Login or create an account to view it.
How to cite: Burnett II, Arthur L. “New Approaches to the Management of Priapism: Guidelines Commentary.” February 8, 2025. Accessed Feb 2026. https://grandroundsinurology.com/new-approaches-to-the-management-of-priapism-guidelines-commentary/
New Approaches to the Management of Priapism: Guidelines Commentary – Summary
Arthur L. Burnett II, MD, MBA, FACS, focuses on priapism. In this 26-minute presentation, Dr. Burnett explores the pathophysiology, management strategies, and evolving treatment paradigms for this condition, particularly in patients with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Burnett highlights that surgical interventions, including shunting techniques and penile prosthesis implantation, remain critical options, with variable success. Recent advances in understanding the dysregulation of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) have led to novel therapeutic approaches, including using PDE5 inhibitors in a counterintuitive but effective manner. He shares a landmark clinical trial in Nigeria that demonstrates a 58% reduction in priapism episodes with a combination of hydroxyurea and tadalafil, offering a promising long-term strategy for those with sickle cell disease.
Dr. Burnett underscores the importance of clinical guidelines, translational research, and global collaborations to improve outcomes. Future directions focus on refining treatment algorithms and enhancing patient education to reduce the burden of this distressing condition.
About The 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar:
The Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar is a multi-day meeting focused on training urologists in the latest in assessing, diagnosing, and treating urologic conditions in the clinical setting. Updates are provided on urologic cancers, stone disease, urologic reconstruction, female urology, infertility, sexual function, emerging surgical techniques, and general urology. The 44th iteration of the meeting took place from February 5th to February 8th, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
For further educational activities from this conference, visit our collection page.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Arthur L. Burnett II, MD, MBA, FACS, is a Professor in the Department of Urology, Director of the Basic Science Laboratory in Neuro-Urology, and Director of the Sexual Medicine Fellowship Program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. His professional appointments at the Johns Hopkins Hospital include Director of the Male Consultation Clinic and Clinician-Scientist at the James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute. Dr. Burnett earned his undergraduate degree in Biology from Princeton University and his medical degree at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Surgery and residency and fellowship in Urology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. After this, Dr. Burnett received an American Foundation of Urologic Disease New Investigator Award to continue research into the regulatory mechanisms of penile erection. Since then, he has maintained an active laboratory in neuro-urology.
