title: Traumatic rupture of the corpus cavernosum: surgical management and clinical outcomes. A 30 years review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penile trauma (PT) with associated rupture of the corpus cavernosum, also called penile fracture, is a urological emergency and surgical treatment is usually the choice of management. Our objective is to report our experience after 30 years in the diagnosis and therapeutic options of PT and evaluate the clinical outcomes after the treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 1983 to January 2013, 27 patients were identified. Data was analyzed and is presented in absolute numbers, range, percentage and mean.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean age of patients was 30.7 years, range from 19 to 37. All the patients came complaining of penile swelling and hematoma, and more than half of them (60.7%) reported hearing a snap sound. Some rare causes were identified in our series such as self-mutilation, avulsion, firearm and electrocution. Clinical presentation was diagnostic in all the patients, and the diagnosis was verified by penile ultrasonography in most cases (60.7%). Mean surgery time: 94 minutes. Urethral repair was required in 2 patients. Mean hospital stay was 2 days. Good functional results are shown during follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rupture of the corpus cavernosum is a rare condition and is generally diagnosed by clinical findings. Emergency surgical exploration and treatment is the best guarantee of good functional and cosmetic results.
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Juan Gómez
authors: JG
authors: Rivas
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jose Maria Alonso
authors: JM
authors: Dorrego
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Mario Martín
authors: MM
authors: Hernández
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Pamela Fontana
authors: PF
authors: Portella
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Sonia Pérez
authors: SP
authors: González
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jose Antonio Moreno
authors: JA
authors: Valle
authors: Department of Urology, Hospital Universitario La Paz, Madrid, Spain.
authors: Jesús Javier de la Peña
authors: JJ
authors: Barthel
keywords: clinical outcomes; penile trauma; rupture of the corpus cavernosum