Penile and genital injuries.

Genital injuries are significant because of their association with injuries to major pelvic and vascular organs that result from both blunt and penetrating mechanisms, and the chronic disability resulting from penile, scrotal, and vaginal trauma. Because trauma is predominantly a disease of young persons, genital injuries may profoundly affect health-related quality of life and contribute to the burden of disease related to trauma. This article reviews the mechanism, initial evaluation, and operative management of injuries to the male and female external genitalia including the penis, scrotal skin, and vaginal structures.