Importance of time in management of fracture penis: A prospective study

The presentation of penile fracture may vary depending on the delay to seek medical attention and on the presence of associated injuries. Delay in presentation has been linked previously to embarrassment associated with this condition.

The study aims to share our clinical experience in management of penile fracture and its complications and specifically highlights the impact of time delay on post-operative outcome in patients presenting with penile fracture.

The study is a prospective observational study conducted from July 2014 till January 2017. All the patients presenting to the emergency with a clinical presentation of penile fracture and a tear in the tunica albuginea of the penile cavernosal tissue, confirmed on ultrasound were included in this study and intraoperative and postoperative data was analysed.

The most common cause for fracture noted was coitus. The average time delay from the time of insult to presentation to the emergency department was 25.11 ± 12.48 hours. The parameters that have significantly been altered by a time delay of more than 24 hours include post-operative wound infection, erectile dysfunction at 1-year, post-operative hospital stay. Two patients develop chordee at 6 and 9 months respectively and both patients presented beyond 24 hours. All patients with hematoma size on color Doppler of more 10cc and intraoperative tear >10mm had developed post-operative wound infection. Patients with urethral injury or post-operative cavernositis or wound infection had significant association with erectile dysfunction.

Penile fracture although a rare urologic emergency, it has a significant impact on sexual health of a young man. An early intervention along with identifying and managing early complications factors would help patients of fracture penis lead an almost normal sexual life.