Complications after surgical correction of penile fractures—Is there a clinical impact?

Abstract

BackgroundSurgical exploration and closure of the tunica albuginea is the recommended treatment for penile fractures. The recovery of sexual function is the main result that surgeons and patients pursue.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the sexual health effects of a surgically corrected penile fracture. Secondarily, we sought to identify risk factors that may influence long‐term sexual function and their effects on genital body image satisfaction.MethodsA retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical correction of penile fractures between 2007 and 2022 in a tertiary center was performed. Lesion characteristics, weeks until the resumption of sexual activity, and post‐operative sexual function were recorded. The presence of glans hypoesthesia, penile deformation, penile nodule palpation, and self‐satisfaction with body image were assessed.ResultsSixty‐nine patients with a mean age of 42.30 ± 12.98 years and a median follow‐up of 70 (20–134) months were identified. Sexual intercourse was recorded as a percentage. Penile deformation was the most common complication, appearing in 14.5% of patients, erectile dysfunction in 5.8%, penile nodules in 4.3%, and glans hypoesthesia in 2.9%. The median post‐operative International Index of Erectile Function‐5 was 24 (21.5–24). Self‐satisfaction with body image had a median of 9 and was negatively associated with bilateral lesions and penile deformation.Discussion and conclusionDistal fractures could be linked to erectile dysfunction and glans hypoesthesia. Surgical correction of penile fractures shows positive functional and self‐reported outcomes, and the potential andrological complications rarely necessitate specific treatment.