[Penile emergencies]

The three main penile emergency situations have been examined so as to better define the clinical and therapeutic aspects. In the present study, a fracture of the penis (n = 12) occurred following a coital accident in 8 cases. In general, a clinical diagnosis was made and emergency surgical treatment appeared to be the most efficient means of preventing possible erectile malfunction. Mutilation of the penis was observed (n = 12) following traditional circumcision or circumcision performed by paramedical staff; or was due to self-inflicted mutilation and pyschiatric disorder (n = 6), and in one case to sexual deviation (n = 1) This category of accidents could be more adequately managed by the psychiatric treatment of certain patients and by better training of the personnel carrying out the circumcision. Priapism (n = 42) was due to sickle cell disease in 50% of cases, and relapse was noted in 10% of patients.