Introduction
Penile fracture is a rare injury, bearing potential impairment of erectile function if not treated. Patients with clinical presentation of a penile fracture commonly undergo early surgical exploration with the intention to repair a tunica albuginea tear.
Aim
We present a group of men who presented with a penile hematoma following trauma to the erect penis. Exploration revealed an intact tunica albuginea and a dorsal vein tear.
Methods
Eighteen men (mean age 38 years, range 20–55) presented with suspected penile fracture during an 8-year period. One man presented twice. Two of the patients were managed expectantly and the remaining 16 patients underwent 17 immediate surgical explorations. Explorations were performed under general anesthesia, using a circumferential subcoronal incision and degloving of the penile skin. The tunica albuginea of both penile sides as well as the penile urethra were examined for injuries.
Main Outcome Measures
Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for etiology, symptoms, signs of physical examination, and information on findings of surgical exploration. Data on erectile function, medical treatment for erectile dysfunction, and penile curvature were obtained during follow-up.
Results
In nine of the 17 procedures the tunica albuginea was intact and the only pathological finding was a ruptured dorsal vein. One procedure was negative for both tunical and vascular injury. A tunical tear was detected in the remaining seven procedures. At a mean follow-up of 40 months (range 4–91), five patients required medical treatment for erectile dysfunction, including the two who were managed expectantly, two with a tunical tear, and one with a venous tear.
Conclusions
Dorsal vein tears may mimic penile fracture. Suggestive findings following trauma to the erect penis prompted exploration for suspected tunica albuginea tear. In less than half of the men was the diagnosis of penile fracture established and treated at surgery.
UDS, were included (mean age 56.4 years, range 25-89). Of these patients, 15 had had previous instrumentation of the urethra (urethral catheterization, cystoscopy), and 14 had had a prostatectomy. One urologist provided a detailed explanation of the different stages of the UDS. Use of an anaesthetic gel, and instrumentation of the urethra and anus by an experienced urologist, were emphasized. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue pain scale three times, to provide an expected pain score (EPS) on entering the examination room, after the explanation, and the actual pain felt during the UDS.
RESULTSThe mean EPS before the explanation was 4.2, significantly higher (5.17) after the explanation ( P = 0.02) and the actual pain scored during the UDS was 3.76, lower than both the previous EPS. In patients who had had previous instrumentation of the urethra, the EPS after the explanation was significantly higher, at 6.06 ( P < 0.05). Pain scores were not significantly different in patients after prostatectomy.
CONCLUSIONSThe routine guidance provided to male patients undergoing UDS enhances their expectations of pain, especially in those who have had previous instrumentation of the urethra. As the fear of pain may alter the information provided by the patient, different strategies of providing patients with information about UDS should be devised.
We do not recommend the use of gastric segments for reconstruction of the lower urinary tract due to the high incidence of reoperations and complications. In patients in whom gastric segments were used in the past for lower urinary tract reconstruction, regular surveillance and close followup are strongly advocated.
Midline dorsal penile plication is a safe, simple to perform procedure that achieves excellent results in patients with mild to moderate curvature. It is a useful technique in patients in who previous repairs have failed. We suggest other repair techniques for severe curvature.
Urinary and fecal continence in patients with myelomeningocele is achievable with a single total continence reconstruction procedure using the artificial urinary sphincter and the Malone antegrade continence enema with durable results.
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