title: Early surgical repair of penile fractures: our experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fracture of the penis is a relatively rare condition, defined as the rupture of the tumescent corpora cavernosa. The fracture is quite easily recognized, whereas its management remains controversial. Our experience regarding the early treatment of penile fractures is herein reported.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 7-year period (1997-2004) 10 patients aged 23 to 42 years, presented with a penile fracture, occurred during coitus. All patients were admitted to the hospital 1 to 10 hours after injury. Diagnosis was made on clinical examination. Six patients referred a snapping sound at the time of injury. Common clinical features included sudden penile pain, detumescence and penile deviation. All patients showed penile haematoma; 3 had scrotal and perineal haematoma as well. None of the patients had urethral bleeding.
  
  
  RESULTS
  all patients were surgically treated; at the time of surgery unilateral albuginea rupture was found in all cases. With a mean follow-up of 37 months (range 1-78) all cases were able to achieve an adequate erection. No complications, such as deformations, penile plaque, urethral fistula or erectile dysfunction were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immediate surgical repair in case of penile fracture is recommended in order to obtain better functional outcome and to avoid potential complications.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Interaziendale di Urologia, Azienda Ospedaliera S M Misericordia, Università degli Studi, Udine. degiorgi.gioacchino@aoud.sanita.fvg.it
authors.forename: Gioacchino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Giorgi
authors.forename: Lorenzo G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Luciani
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Valotto
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Moro
authors.forename: Silvio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Praturlon
authors.forename: Filiberto
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zattoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture