Penile Fracture - Not a Wait-And-See Situation: Study suggests waiting several hours before treatment can result in impaired erectile function

NEW ORLEANS, May 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Although penile fracture is relatively uncommon, delays in surgical treatment can raise the risk of complications, including impaired erectile function, according to a new study featured at the 110^th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA). The research will be highlighted by study authors during a special press conference. Anthony Atala, MD, AUA spokesperson and director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, will moderate the session at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA on May 15, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. CT.

A penile fracture is considered a urologic emergency and requires urgent medical attention; however, due to the embarrassing nature of the injury, some men may delay seeking immediate treatment. To determine the impact of this delay, European researchers performed a retrospective study of nearly 140 patients, from seven different European academic medical centers, who underwent surgery for penile fracture between 1996 and 2013.

Variables including age, imaging methods, timing of surgical intervention, surgical technique and length of penile fracture were analyzed. Additionally, post-operative erectile function outcomes were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function Questionnaire (IIEF-5) and the presence of postoperative penile curvature was noted. Results showed:

• The average time between emergency room (ER) admission and surgical intervention was 13 hours.
• Postoperative penile curvature was observed in nearly 4 percent of patients and IIEF-5 scores at postoperative month one (15.09) and three (16.85), suggested mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
• When surgical intervention was performed more than 8.23 hours after being admitted to the ER, postoperative erectile function significantly worsened.

"This study highlights the importance for men with a penile fracture to seek prompt medical attention and for medical professionals to plan surgical treatment as soon as possible," said Dr. Atala. "The longer treatment is delayed, the more difficult it becomes to repair, which may result in the onset of scarring or the inability to have or maintain an erection."

About the American Urological Association: The 110^th Annual Meeting of the American Urological Association takes place May 15 – 19 at the New Orleans Convection Center in New Orleans, LA.

Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.

Contact:
Christine Frey, AUA
443-909-0839, cfrey@AUAnet.org

SOURCE American Urological Association

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