Successful treatment of propofol-induced priapism with distal glans to corporal cavernosal shunt

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Urology
• Pharmacovigilance

Background:

• Priapism is a prolonged erection, often painful, with potential for penile damage.
• Propofol is a widely used anesthetic agent for pediatric sedation and general anesthesia.
• Postoperative priapism is a rare complication, particularly in patients without predisposing hematologic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of pediatric priapism occurring after propofol-based general anesthesia in a patient without a hematologic disorder.
• To emphasize the importance of prompt diagnosis and management of this rare adverse event.
• To raise awareness among clinicians regarding the potential association between propofol and postoperative priapism.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a pediatric patient who developed priapism post-anesthesia.
• Review of anesthetic records, focusing on the use of propofol.
• Clinical assessment and management of the priapismic event.

Main Results:

• A pediatric patient without a history of hematologic disorders experienced priapism after receiving a propofol-based general anesthetic.
• The condition required emergent medical attention and treatment.
• The case highlights a potential, albeit rare, adverse effect of propofol anesthesia.

Conclusions:

• Postoperative pediatric priapism can occur in association with propofol anesthesia, even in the absence of hematologic disorders.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are critical to prevent long-term complications of priapism.
• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for this rare adverse effect when managing pediatric patients who received propofol.