Penile Fracture Repair
Repair of a ruptured Corpora Cavernosa which may sometimes involve a repair of the urethra as well.
How does this occur?
- Classically seen in guys turning over onto an erect penis in their sleep.
- Vigorous sex where the erect penis slips out and is re-inserted outside the desired orifice, causing a bend and snap in the corpora cavernosa with a loud snap sound signifying a tear of the CC.
- Occurs at any age.
- Sudden severe swelling of penis turning blue, looking like an eggplant.
- Pain occurs at the time of incident.
- This requires acute attention, therefore make your way to an emergency department as soon as possible.
What to do?
- URGENT.
- Make your way to ED ASAP
- An ultrasound is done to isolate the tear in the Corpora.
How is it fixed?
- This fixed under general anesthetic.
- Supine position (on your back), sterile procedure.
- An incision is done over the isolated spot.
- The corpora is sutured with non-dissolving sutures.
- Where the area is not seen on ultrasound, the foreskin is loosened under the glans with a circumferential incision and the whole penile skin is retracted to the base of the penis.
- Occasionally a circumcision may result due to complications with this technique, yet foreskin preservation is attempted.
- An indwelling catheter will be inserted until the swelling is better.
- A dressing is then applied, which should be removed after 72 hours.
What to expect after the procedure?
- Any anesthetic has its risks, and the anesthetist will explain such risks.
- Bleeding is a common complication.
- A hematoma (blood collection under the skin) is present and will take some time to settle. Bruising is normal.
- Sutures may tear loose with vigorous use of erect penis, and the procedure may then require revision.
- An infection of the wound may occur and requires immediate attention.
- Necrosis of the foreskin can occur in rare circumstances.
- DANGER SIGNS: A wound that swells immediately, fever, and puss. Contact Dr Schoeman or the hospital immediately as this occurs in up to 15–20% of all cases.
What next?
- Dressings should be kept dry for the initial 72 hours after surgery and soaked off in a bath thereafter.
- The dressing may sometimes adhere to the wound causing slight bleeding on removal. Don’t panic, the bleeding will stop.
- The catheter will be removed as soon as you are awake, or if there are concerns, the following morning.
- Patients should schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr Schoeman 2 weeks after the procedure.
- There will be signs of bruising for at least 10 days.
- Refrain from using your erect penis for 6 weeks.
- The suture-line will be hard and indurated for at least 8-10 weeks.
- PLEASE CONTACT THE HOSPITAL DIRECTLY WITH ANY POST-OPERATIVE CONCERNS AND RETURN TO THE HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY SHOULD THERE BE ANY SIGNS OF SEPSIS.
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