Penile fracture is a rather rare occurrence, but serious due to its consequences, since this not only forms a hematoma, but also damages the cavernous bodies and may affect the urethra.
Since the penis has no bone formations, the diagnosis of "penile fracture" is usually understood not as a classic fracture, but as a subcutaneous rupture of the cavernous bodies.
This kind of damage is most likely in the erect state of the penis - 60% of all cases occur in this state. The cause may be a blow to the penis or its strong and sharp bend during intercourse.
In such situations, the fracture occurs due to the slipping of the penis from the vagina and its sharp bending when it rests on the pubic bones or perineum of the woman. Often, the fracture is accompanied by damage to the urethra.
A fracture of the penis is always characterized by a cracking sound with which the corpus cavernosum is torn. At this moment, the patient experiences sharp pain, and the erection subsides, and internal bleeding occurs.
At the site of the rupture of the cavernous bodies, a hematoma is formed, and the penis deviates in the opposite direction. In this case, the pain not only does not decrease, but, on the contrary, increases intensively, shock is possible. The hematoma can reach an impressive size and spread to the scrotum, pubis, perineum, inner thighs and the anterior abdominal wall.
The size of the hematoma directly depends on the extent of the damage.
At the site of injury, the skin first acquires a bluish tint, and then darkens. If the urethra is damaged during the fracture, urinary retention may occur.
A penile fracture is diagnosed on the basis of examination and ultrasound. Sometimes there is a need for additional studies, such as cavernosography and MRI.
The nature of the prescribed treatment for a diagnosed fracture depends on the extent of the hematoma and the size of the damage. If the damage is minimal, measures similar to treatment for a bruised penis will be sufficient.
In case of serious injuries accompanied by large hemorrhage, surgical intervention is necessary. It includes opening the hematoma, removing blood clots, stopping bleeding, suturing the damaged area, and draining the wound. This kind of surgery gives good results.
However, in the early postoperative stages, infectious complications may occur, and in the later stages impotence and curvature of the penis may occur. But statistics show that such phenomena appear only in 10-12% of cases and their cause is an untimely visit to a doctor.
In cases where the fracture of the penis was accompanied by damage to the urethra, its restoration is included in the treatment program. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow the doctor's instructions exactly and to carry out anesthetic and antibiotic therapy with prescribed broad-spectrum antibiotics, as well as use cold treatments.
In general, possible complications of penile fracture include penile abscess, development of arteriovenous fistula, penile curvature, narrowing of the urethra, and painful erection.
