Fracture penis: an analysis of 26 cases

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Penile fracture is a rare but serious urological emergency.
• Understanding its epidemiology and management is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review penile fracture patterns, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcomes.
• To evaluate the efficacy of surgical intervention versus conservative treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 26 patients with penile fractures treated between January 1997 and January 2005.
• Data collected included patient demographics, causative factors, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, treatment modalities, complications, and outcomes.

Main Results:

• Incidence of 3.5 cases per year, higher in unmarried men; masturbation was the most common cause.
• Penile hematoma and a characteristic 'click' were frequent findings; clinical diagnosis was sufficient in most cases.
• Surgical repair with absorbable sutures was successful in 25 out of 26 cases; conservative treatment failed in two of three patients.

Conclusions:

• Clinical assessment is adequate for diagnosing penile fractures.
• Surgical exploration and repair are recommended for both early and delayed presentations.
• Timeliness of presentation, tear size, and site do not significantly impact the final outcome.