Penile injury and effect on male sexual function

Penile injury is common as an emergency and should be accurately diagnosed and treated. We analysed 22 patients with penile injury admitted to the emergency unit of Dubrava University Hospital during a 4-year period. According to the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma five-grade classification of penile injuries, there were 14 grade I, 6 grade II and 2 grade III cases. Diagnosis was mainly based on clinical and ultrasonography findings, and in some cases on cavernosography. Nineteen patients underwent immediate surgery and three patients received conservative therapy. On outpatient follow up, sexual function was assessed by use of the 5-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) test at 3 and 12 months of injury. At 3-month follow up, moderate, mild and no erectile dysfunction was recorded in 5, 6 and 11 patients respectively (mean IIEF-5: 19.62). At 12-month follow up, mild erectile dysfunction was found in only one patient (IIEF-5: 20), whereas all other patients were free from erectile dysfunction (mean IIEF-5: 23.75). The 12-month follow up yielded a higher statistical difference (P < 0.001) when compared with 3-month follow up. Study results indicated that appropriate treatment of penile injuries resulted in complete recovery of sexual function within 12 months.