Page 26 - Urological Health
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2. Penile fracture

            The problem: A penile fracture happens when your penis is injured
            during sex. The injury causes a hole (or fracture) in the wall of your
            erection (also called erection chamber) (Figure 3).
                   • The hole usually happens when your partner is on top;
                     something goes wrong and you hear a “pop” sound, you
                     feel a lot of pain and you have some bruising (or
                     combination of all of these).
                   • This can also happen when you penetrate your partner
                     from behind and you miss; this causes your penis to bend.
                   • Masturbation rarely causes a penile fracture.

            Symptoms:
                                                                            Figure 3. A fractured penis;
                   • Pain                                                   notice the black/blue bruising and
                                                                            the swelling.
                   • Swelling
                   • Bruising
                   • If your penis is an eggplant-colour or if there is blood your urine after the injury, you
                     should go to the ER.
            Tests: Your doctor will suspect a penile fracture when there is blood at the tip of your penis or blood
            in your urine (these also hint at a possible injury to your urethra as well).
                   • An ultrasound will pinpoint the site of the injury and will determine the type of surgery,
                     if available.
                   • If there is even a suspicion of a fracture, your doctor will operate and repair the damage
                     immediately.
                   • If the doctor suspects an injury to your urethra or if you cannot urinate, you will be given
                     a retrograde urethrogram to check out any damaage (a catheter is placed in the tip of the
                     penis and dye is injected into the urethra; your penis is then X-rayed to look for any leaks
                     or tears). If there is a tear or leak, it will be repaired.
            Treatment: Surgery is most successful when it is done soon after the injury.
                   • Your penile fracture may lead to erectile dysfunction or a deformed penis.

                   • The doctor may close the “fracture” or “burst” areas with a cut along the foreskin (also
                     called a circumcision incision) to find the damaged areas; in some cases, you may have a
                     straight-line cut at the bottom of your penis.

            3. Circumcision complications (in children)

            The problem: In newborns, circumcision is performed under local anesthesia and without stitches.
            Serious complications are rare, but local infection and bleeding may require a trip to the ER.

            Symptoms: Bleeding is usually venous oozing, and may respond to local pressure. Swelling, drainage
            of pus, fever, or difficulty urinating may occur.






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