False penile fracture: report of 16 cases

We determined the value of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches of false penile fractures and the outcome of treatment. We retrospectively reviewed 16 cases of presumed penile fracture with a negative surgical exploration. Clinical presentation, technique of treatment and outcome were noted. The mean age was 39 years (17-64). Nine patients were injured during sexual intercourse. All the patients presented with the presumptive diagnosis of penile fracture. False penile fracture was evoked in one patient presenting a new erection. Surgical penile exploration was carried out for all the patients without any radiological explorations. It revealed nonspecific dartos bleeding in 10 cases and avulsed superficial dorsal vein in six cases requiring venous ends ligation. All the patients regained penile appearance and potency. We can hardly distinguish false penile fracture from 'true' penile fracture with certainty either clinically or radiologically, thus, surgical exploration is mostly necessary. The prognosis is excellent.