Impotence Following Pelvic Fracture

A group of 42 men (mean age, 26.7 years) with pelvic fractures as the result motor vehicle accidents were evaluated for impotence 48 hours after injury. Hormone levels were normal in all patients tested. One half (21/42) of the patients had abnormal peniler:brachial arterial ratios. Of this group, 13/21 had abnormal bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR)four patients were paraplegic and nine had urethral injuries. Followup of available patients to 20 months reflects persistent impotence in those who experienced vasculogenic trauma. Only 2/21 patients with normal tests (vascular, hormonal, neurologic) complain of impotence (followup at 23 months); one of these patients is in litigation.