[Perineal-genital wounds in war medicine. Apropos of 18 cases]

Perineo-genital wounds involving the anterior perineum or the urogenital perineum are uncommon; 1-4% of all war wounds. We report 18 cases observed in war situations. Isolated uretrogenital wounds are rarely life-threatening, but the functional prognosis is always compromised in these men whose mean age is under 30 years. Debridements should be limited and all isolated lesions should be repaired early with tight suture of the cavernous body albuginea, preservation of viable testicular and adnexal tissue (but the rate of orchidectomy is greater than 50%), and immediate suture of any wound to the urethra rather than simple alignment. In war situations, these wounds are usually caused by perforating or blast trauma. The wounds are complex, with damage to the soft tissues, sometimes involving lesions to the anal sphincter, the gluteal masses or the abdomino-pelvic structures. Laparostomy for hemostasis is justified. The risk of sepsis is high, requiring triple antibiotics, cystostomy, careful debridement, discharge drainage or possibly colostomy. Treatment of urogenital lesions is a secondary operation in these cases but must not be neglected if the mictional and sexual functions are to be preserved.