Ischaemic necrosis of the glans penis: a complication of urethral catheterization in a diabetic man.
Ischaemic necrosis of the glans penis is rare. Diabetic patients commonly have small vessel disease which may affect the penis. We report the case of a man with extensive diabetic vascular disease, in whom partial penectomy was necessary for ischaemia of the glans penis, following urethral catheterization. The decision to use a urethral catheter in diabetics, particularly those with evidence of vascular disease, must be made with the knowledge that internal compression caused by the catheter may cause irreversible ischaemic changes. In such patients, a suprapubic catheter should be considered as an alternative.
Department of Surgery, Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
J N
JN
Nacey
B
B
Delahunt
T J
TJ
Neale
J M
JM
Chrisp
D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000150:complications; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods