Symptoms of Corporal Damage
Jun 20, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Luo Yong
Introduction
The prominent manifestations of penile injury include localized pain, swelling, ecchymosis, bleeding, laceration, transection, penetration, dislocation, avulsion, necrosis, and partial defects. Typically, patients experience severe localized penile pain followed by flaccidity of the penis and subsequent swelling and ecchymosis. If the corpora cavernosa are ruptured, penile deformity—such as curvature—may occur; the penis may deviate toward the contralateral side, exhibit an “S-shaped” swelling, or bend downward.
The corpora cavernosa are the hardest smooth muscle and connective tissue structures in the human body. They constitute erectile tissue, enveloped externally by a thick, fibrous tunica albuginea, and internally composed of a sponge-like framework of connective tissue and smooth muscle; their lacunar spaces communicate directly with blood vessels.
Penile trauma is characterized prominently by localized pain, along with swelling, ecchymosis, hemorrhage, laceration, complete transection, penetrating injury, dislocation, degloving, necrosis, and partial tissue loss.
Typically, patients experience severe local penile pain followed by immediate detumescence (loss of erection) and subsequent development of swelling and ecchymosis. If corporal rupture occurs, the penis may assume an abnormal curvature—deviating toward the contralateral side, adopting an “S-shaped” deformity, or bending downward. Rupture of the penile fascia allows hematoma to extend into the scrotum and perineum. Concurrent urethral injury may manifest as hematuria or bleeding from the external urethral meatus.
With prompt and appropriate management, prognosis after penile fracture is generally favorable. However, potential late complications include erectile dysfunction, penile curvature deformity, painful erections, dyspareunia, pseudo-diverticulum formation, penile arterial aneurysm, high-flow priapism, lymphedema, and urethral stricture.
