Psychiatric Approach in Phantom Erection Postpenectomy Patient

Abstract

Introduction. Phantom limb pain is a pain sensation experienced in the area of the missing body part. The pain generally appears in the first few days after surgery. PLP could occur in teeth, tongue, breast, eyes, rectum, bladder, testicles, and penis. Phantom pain in the penis is not only felt as pain but sometimes as an erection or urination, even after the removal of the penis. Clinical Case. A 35-year-old man was referred to the psychiatrist due to phantom erection after undergoing reimplantation of the penis by the urologist. A few days before the referral, he was admitted to the emergency department after a penile amputation that his wife performed. During the recovery phase after the penile reimplantation procedure, the patient worried about his penis’ outcome and became depressed. The patient was in severe anxiety and moderate-to-severe depression status. Treatment. The patient was given nonpsychopharmacology such as supportive psychotherapy, family psychoeducation, relaxation and marital therapy, and psychopharmacology, such as amitriptyline 12.5 Mg PO two times a day and clobazam 10 Mg PO each day for 3 months. One and a half months later, his anxiety and depression were better. Conclusion. A psychiatric approach was needed in an amputated limb patient with psychopathologic symptoms. Nonpsychopharmacotherapy and psychopharmacotherapy were needed if the patient had symptoms. Further studies with a large number will be necessary to validate the psychiatric approach in amputated limb patients with psychopathologic symptoms cases.