Burns to the genitalia and the perineum

We conducted a study to determine the treatment of perineal and genital burns, the results of therapy and the complications of such burns.

A review of the records of 4,216 patients treated between 1981 and 1995 at the Burn Center of the Academic Surgical Center Stuivenberg, revealed 87 male and 30 female patients, 6 months to 86 years old who had associated burns to the perineum or genitalia. Mean burn size was 21% of the total body surface area. Causes of burn injury were scald in 55% of the cases, flame in 24%, chemical in 16% and others in 4%.

There were 16 deaths in this group (13.6%) but none was related to the perineal or genital burns. Of the 101 survivors 41% required Foley catheters but the catheters were indwelling during resuscitation only (range 1 to 99 days). Perineal and genital burns were treated by topical antimicrobials. Only 10 patients (9.9%) required split-thickness skin grafts. As late complication 2 patients had scar formation of the penile shaft, which was treated with multiple Z-plasties, and of the prepuce, which was treated by circumcision, respectively. In 1 patient, who presented with erectile dysfunction diagnostic evaluation was negative.

Conservative management of perineal and genital burns is recommended.