Penile fracture and its treatment: is retrograde urethrograghy necessary for management of penile fracture?

OBJECTIVE

Penile fracture, being defined as rupture of the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum, is uncommon. Here, we analyze findings on our patients during a 10-year period and evaluate the role of retrograde urethrography.

METHODS

From February 2002 to April 2012, 116 patients were admitted with penile fracture at Ghaem Medical Center. Patient history and physical examination were taken at their admittance to detect probable urethral injury. Before surgery, retrograde urethrography was performed in all patients. The size and site of the tunical rupture were recorded. Then the rupture of tunica albuginea was sutured with nonabsorbable (3-0 nylon) sutures and the ties were placed on the internal surface (continuous method). All patients were followed up for 12 months.

RESULTS

Patients' mean age was (32.78 ± 10.61) years and ranged (16-62) years. The mechanism of trauma was sexual intercourse in 103 patients (89%) and masturbation in 13 patients (11%). The most common site of injury found after exploration was right (55%) and lateral (74%) of the corpus cavernosum. The size of the tunical rupture was from 0.5 to 3.0 cm (mean 1.88 ± 0.72). Three of the patients had Marphan's syndrome. Urethral injury was detected by retrograde urethrography in 4 patients (3%) who had macroscopic hematuria and urethrorrhagia. During 12 months follow-up, no complication was seen.

CONCLUSION

There is no need to perform retrograde urethrography unless the patients have gross hematuria or urethrorrhagia. The key to success in treatment of penile fracture is to achieve a rapid diagnosis based on history and a physical examination, avoid unnecessary imaging tests and perform immediate surgery to reconstruct the site of injury.