Penile fracture: Tertiary care center experience and long-term complications after immediate repair

Comparison of erectile and ejaculatory functional outcomes between unilateral and bilateral cavernosal rupture in penile fractures

This study aimed to compare the erectile and ejaculatory functional outcomes of unilateral and bilateral ruptures of the corpus cavernosum in penile fractures. Sixty patients' data were analyzed retrospectively between June 2020 and January 2023. The patients were divided into two groups based on the affected corpus cavernosum (unilateral and bilateral). Preoperative and postoperative 3rd-, 6th-, and 12th-month self-estimated intravaginal-ejaculation-latency-time (IELT), and international index of erectile function-erectile function (IIEF-EF) scores as well as the presence of urethral injury were compared. Bilateral corpus cavernosum fractures were detected in 18.3% of the patients. The IIEF-EF scores of both groups at 3rd-, 6th-, and 12th-month were found to be significantly lower than the preoperative scores (unilateral group:24.1 ± 2.7 vs 23.2 ± 3.5 and 23.3 ± 3.4, respectively, p = 0.011 and 0.014, respectively; bilateral group: 24 ± 1.9 vs 23 ± 1.8 and 23.2 ± 1.5, respectively, p = 0.027 and 0.047, respectively). No significant difference was found between the preoperative and the postoperative 12th month IIEF-EF scores in either group (unilateral group: 24.1 ± 2.7 vs 23.4 ± 3.6, p = 0.207;bilateral group:24 ± 1.9 vs 23.2 ± 1.5, p = 0.057). The self-estimated IELTs of both groups at the postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th months demonstrated a significant increase from the preoperative values (unilateral group: 221.6 ± 81.8 vs 252 ± 94.6, 256.5 ± 97.6, and 250.5 ± 104.8, respectively, p < 0.001; bilateral group:241.8 ± 61.6 vs 278.1 ± 55.4, 281.8 ± 56.1, and 283.6 ± 54.2, respectively, p = 0.041, 0.030, and 0.047, respectively). The changes in self-estimated IELTs and IIEF-EF scores between the preoperative period and the postoperative 3rd, 6th, and 12th-months were compared, and no statistical difference was found between patients with unilateral and bilateral corpus cavernosum fractures (p > 0.05). In conclusion, no significant difference in erectile function was found in either group at the 12-month follow-up, and the self-estimated IELTs were found to be prolonged in both groups. Furthermore, no difference was noted between the groups at any follow-up. To explain the effects of unilateral and bilateral injuries on erectile and ejaculatory functions, further studies with a larger-number of patients are necessary.

Optimal timing of surgical intervention for penile fracture: a narrative review of the modern literature

INTRODUCTION

Penile fracture is traditionally considered a surgical emergency warranting immediate repair with the goal to maximize long-term erectile function and minimize penile curvature. Nonetheless, consensus on the optimal timing for penile fracture repair remains to be elucidated and is the subject of continued research efforts.

OBJECTIVES

This review aims to summarize the contemporary literature pertaining to optimal timing of penile fracture repair and associated outcomes.

METHODS

We queried PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar for relevant articles published between 2012 and 2022 to evaluate the most recent literature on the queried topic of early vs delayed intervention for penile fracture. All examined review articles were published within the last decade but may have included analyses of studies published prior to 2012. Reference lists of articles and reviews were manually reviewed to identify additional relevant articles.

RESULTS

We identified 16 articles that met inclusion criteria: 12 primary articles and 4 systematic reviews or meta-analyses. Importantly, definitions of early and delayed intervention varied greatly among studies, making quantitative comparison challenging. In summary, 6 primary studies and 2 systematic review articles favored early intervention. There were also 6 primary studies and 2 systematic review articles suggesting equivocal outcomes between early and delayed repair. No articles demonstrated improved outcomes with delayed repair relative to early intervention.

CONCLUSION

Surgical intervention for penile fracture remains the gold standard, with superior long-term sexual and functional outcomes when compared with conservative management. Optimal timing of penile fracture repair remains to be elucidated with data limited by low incidence, resulting in small case series and a lack of randomized controlled trials. Nonetheless, recent data suggest that a brief delay in surgical intervention for patients presenting with penile fractures does not affect long-term sexual and functional outcomes.

A review of the literature and proposed algorithm for penile fracture management

INTRODUCTION

In the management of penile fractures, immediate surgical repair has resulted in better outcomes when compared with a conservative approach; however, there is currently no consensus on the treatment of patients presenting beyond the immediate period (>24 hours) following injury.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the latest literature on management strategies in penile fracture and propose an optimal algorithm for the treatment of patients with delayed presentation.

METHODS

A comprehensive search was conducted following the PRISMA-P 2020 guidelines. A search was performed in several databases with the following strategy: ("Penile fracture" OR "fracture of penis" OR "rupture of corpora cavernosa" OR "rupture of tunica albuginea") AND (management OR treatment OR surgery OR "surgical reconstruction" OR "surgical repair"). This resulted in 108 relevant articles. Two independent reviewers screened these articles according to the inclusion criteria. Full-text review of 56 articles was performed, and ultimately 20 studies were selected. Measures included the use of diagnostic imaging, timing of surgical repair (immediate, <24 hours after injury; delayed, >24 hours), surgical approach, and long-term complications (ie, erectile dysfunction and penile curvature).

RESULTS

The review highlighted the benefits of immediate surgical repair in penile fractures, demonstrating improved patient outcomes. Furthermore, it found that surgical repair should be considered even in cases with delayed presentation (>24 hours after injury). To better evaluate the long-term impact of delayed surgical intervention on patient outcomes, we recommend standardized postoperative follow-up, with routine assessments of erectile function and penile curvature.

CONCLUSION

Contemporary literature suggests that immediate and delayed surgical repair of penile fractures leads to adequate postoperative outcomes, and patients presenting >24 hours after injury should still be considered for surgery.

Immediately repaired penile fractures: age is the only predictor of postoperative long-term functional outcomes

Background

Penile fractures can lead to many functional complications, especially erectile dysfunction (ED). Few studies have evaluated the factors that predict late complications of an immediately repaired penile fracture.

Aim

To identify the potential predictors of long-term poor functional outcomes following immediate surgical intervention for penile fractures.

Methods

Sixty-eight consecutive patients with suspected penile fracture between 2003 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Functional outcomes, postoperative complications, and follow-up duration were obtained from the records of follow-up visits. Age at presentation, location and length of the tunical tear, the presence of urethral rupture, and time to surgery were all analyzed as potential risk factors for postoperative functional outcomes.

Outcomes

Postoperative erectile function and intercourse satisfaction were measured by the IIEF-5 (the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function). Penile curvature, a palpable nodule, and paresthesia/numbness were detected by physical examination. Uroflowmetry was used to assess urinary flow in patients who underwent urethral repair.

Results

Fifty-eight patients were analyzed. The mean ± SD age was 38.1 ± 10.4 years; the median follow-up was 79.0 months (range, 13-180); the median time to surgery was 9.8 hours (4-30); and the median tunical tear length was 15.5 mm (4-40). Urethral rupture was observed in 8 patients (13.8%). In univariable analyses, urethral rupture was associated with postoperative complications (P = .034). In addition, age at presentation and tunical tear size were significantly associated with postoperative complications and ED (P < .05). However, in multivariable analyses, only age at presentation significantly predicted postoperative complications and ED (P = .004 and P = .037).

Clinical Implications

Age at presentation is the most important factor determining the prognosis of immediate surgical repair of the penile fracture, which aids in predicting potential complications and discussing them with patients prior to surgical intervention and during the follow-up period.

Strengths and Limitations

The study's retrospective design is an important limitation. Furthermore, there were no data on an IIEF-5 outcome measuring preoperative erectile function.

Conclusion

These results revealed an association between (1) urethral rupture, longer tunical tears, and older age and (2) the development of late complications. The remarkable finding of this study was that age at presentation was the only significant predictor of functional complications based on multivariable analyses. This relationship also remained robust in tests evaluating the covariance of the effects of aging on ED.