Penile fracture and investigation of early surgical repair effects on erectile dysfunction

Penile fracture is one of the urological emergencies caused by direct trauma to an erect penis during sexual intercourse, which results in a tear in the tunica albuginea within the corpus cavernosum. Serious complications such as penile curvature and erectile dysfunction may develop due to inappropriate and/or late surgical repair. This study aims to evaluate patients with penile fracture and to describe their demographics, surgical repairs, and long-term outcomes.

A total of 56 patients who were diagnosed with penile fracture between January 2012 and June 2017 were reviewed. Clinical features, pre-operative assessment, time from injury to surgery, tunica defect properties, and presence of urethral injury were assessed. Early surgical management was performed. Outcomes, including International Index of Erectile Function 5 pre-operation and after 6 months, were evaluated.

The mean age was 30.2 (18-57) years. In etiological questionnaires, 32 (57.2%) patients reported direct trauma to an erect penis during intercourse. The mean size of tunica defects was 1.61 ± 0.42 (0.3-3.6) cm of the nine (16%) patients, and penile fracture was associated with urethral injury. There was no significant difference in International Index of Erectile Function 5 scores before the surgery and 6 months after surgery. Penile skin necrosis developed in one patient 10 days post-operation.

Early surgical repair could be an effective method of achieving post-operative erection success in patients with penile fracture due to direct trauma during intercourse.