Penile fracture
Fracture of the penis is a rupture of the penile tunica albuginea, the fibrous covering that envelop corpora cavernosa of the penis. It happens while penis is in an erection and is followed by pain, hematoma formation and loss of erection. Most often, the injury occurs during sexual intercourse.
How is a penile fracture diagnosed?
Diagnosis is made by clinical examination and ultrasound, and sometimes by magnetic resonance imaging.
The symptoms of penile fracture are the following:
- Severe pain during intercourse (sometimes the patient hears the sound of "cracking", when the sheath ruptures)
- Instantaneous erection loss
- Hematoma formation and large penile swelling
- Penis deformity
- Occasional bleeding from the urethra also occurs
How is penile fracture treated?
Penile fracture is an emergency surgical condition and requires surgical treatment!
Why is emergency surgery required?
Much better effect and outcome of surgical treatment than in non-operative patients has been demonstrated. Non-operated penile fractures cause complications:
- Permanent penile curvature
- Penis shortening
- Infections
- Difficult urination due to narrowing of the urethra
- Impotence
The aim of the surgery is to reconstruct the damaged sheath and remove the hematoma, while restoring full functionality and maximizing the aesthetic effect. Sometimes it is necessary to install a "patch" graft to reconstruct the defect.
If the urethra is damaged during the injury, its reconstruction is necessary. If necessary, a urinary catheter is placed.
The operation is performed under conditions of general anesthesia.
Due to the complexity of this procedure, it is necessary that the surgery is performed exclusively by a surgeon who is closely specialized in the field of urological reconstructive surgery.
What does the postoperative period look like?
- The patient stays in the hospital for an average of 1-2 days
- Antibiotic therapy is prescribed as well as painkillers
- A compression bandage is needed for the next 7 days
- For wounds on the skin, resorptive stitches are generally used, which break down on their own, so they do not need to be removed
Sexual relations are allowed 6 weeks after surgery.