A prospective analysis of the presentation and management of penile fracture at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Penile fracture though an uncommon urological emergency, can be associated with significant morbidity when it is not properly treated. Its etiology and management vary with geographical location. There are few reports on it in Nigeria.

Objective: The aim of our study was to prospectively analyze the aetiological factors, presentation and management of all cases of penile fracture presenting to our hospital over a 5-year period.

Subjects and methods: All the patients that presented to our hospital with penile fracture over a 5-year period from October 2008 to September 2013 were studied. The data were collected using a structured proforma documenting patient biodata, presenting complaints, duration of symptoms, aetiological factors, surgery done, intraoperative findings and post-operative complications.

Results: There was a total of 15 patients during the study period. The diagnosis was clinical in all cases and confirmed at surgery. The mean age of the patient was 35.2 years. The commonest aetiological factor was vigorous coitus (66.7%). None of the patients presented earlier than 4 h, though most of them (66.7%) presented within 48 h. All the patients (100%) had immediate operative repair. Right sided injuries were the commonest (53.3%) and overall, there was associated urethral injury in 26.7%. The mean hospital stay was 3.7 days. The identified complications were erectile dysfunction (6.7%) and penile curvature (13.3%).

Conclusion: Coitus is the commonest aetiological factor for fracture of the penis in our environment. Though the majority of the patient still present late, immediate surgical repair is associated with a low complication rate.

Keywords: Fracture of the penis; Coitus; Late presentation; Complications