Background: Penile fractures are uncommon urological emergencies which occur when there has been a breach in the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosum that may be unilateral and bilateral and can extend to involve the urethra.
Aim: To assess the management and outcomes of penile fractures in a single institution in Ireland.
Methods: A retrospective review of the emergency theatre logbooks was performed between 2011 and 2021 to identify patients who had undergone an exploration for a suspected penile fracture.
Outcomes: Seventeen patients were initially identified on review of theatre logbooks as having an exploration for a suspected penile fracture. Two patients were excluded from the study due to a lack of clinical notes being available. A further 4 patients on chart review were found to not have a penile fracture at exploration.
Results: Eleven patients had a confirmed penile fracture intra-operatively, four of whom had an associated urethral injury. Nine (9/11) patients had preserved normal erections post-operatively documented on follow-up; two, however, reported erectile dysfunction requiring phosphodiesterase inhibitors.
Clinical implications: Our study supports urgent surgical exploration for penile fractures to ensure good functional outcomes.
Strengths and limitations: This is a retrospective review of theatre logbooks to identify patients with a suspected penile fracture.
Conclusion: The results of our cohort show a good outcome of erectile function following surgical repair of a penile fracture (9/11; 82%). Four patients (4/11; 36%) had a urethral injury diagnosed intra-operatively, one of whom required a formal urethroplasty.
Keywords: Aubergine sign; Detumescence; Penile fracture; Surgical repair.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.