Many men consider their penis to be their most valuable asset, says Paul Perito MD, but no matter how protective a man is of his groin, injuries can still occur. According to Paul Perito MD, the male penis is vital to both the urinary and reproductive systems. There are three main tubes inside the penis. The urethra allows urine and semen to be expelled outside of the body. There are also two spongy tubes, call the corpora cavernosa, which stay soft when the penis is flaccid but during an erection fill with blood and become hard for coital penetration, notes Paul Perito MD. The three tubes are bound by the tunica albuginea.
Penile injury is less frequent than any other part of the body, says Paul Perito MD. However, injuries sustained from accidents, burns, sexual intercourse, rough play and even gunshot wounds can damage this important component of male anatomy. Paul Perito MD notes that during vigorous intercourse, the penis can slip out of the vagina and hit a woman’s perineum or lower abdomen. This may cause a penile fracture (a torn tunica albuginea), which is characterized by a loud popping sound, followed by sharp pain and immediate erectile deflation. Characteristic of this injury, reports Paul Perito MD, is a sub-dermal hematoma along with swelling and bruising. According to Paul Perito MD, this event requires immediate medical attention.
Other injuries may occur if blood flow is restricted to the penis for too long, says Paul Perito MD. A prolonged blockage of the blood supply can result in permanent damage. Men are advised never to encase their penis in rigid plastics or other non-pliable material.
According to Paul Perito MD, if a penile injury occurs, it should be promptly assessed by a urologist who will complete a physical exam and blood and urine tests. As a urologist, Paul Perito MD notes that the initial focus of the exam will be to diagnose damage directly to the penis. The urologist may use a fiber optic camera to inspect the urethra for damage. According to Paul Perito MD a retrograde urethragram may be necessary to check for leakage outside of the urethra, which is indicative that the urinary tract is damaged. Additionally, ultrasound or MRI of the penis may be necessary to inspect internal damage.
Traditionally, certain penile injuries, like a fractured penis, were treated with cold compress, surgery and anti-inflammatory medications. Paul Perito MD points out that surgical options now available which can decrease the instance of erectile dysfunction and penile curvature. Generally the patient is subject to a 24-48 hour hospital stay and given pain medicine and antibiotics. He will then be advised to follow-up with his doctor at a later date.
In the very rare instance of an accidental penile amputation, Paul Perito MD advises wrapping the severed portion in sterile saline-soaked gauze and placing it in a plastic bag. If the severed tissue is then iced properly (never allow ice water direct contact with tissue), a detached penis, or portion of, may be successful reattach up to 16 hours after the injury.
Paul Perito MD notes that the best possible treatment for penile injury is, of course, prevention. Fortunately, even if the penis sustains massive injuries, an experienced urologist can usually reconstruct the organ. Paul Perito MD cautions that sexual and urinary function as well as the aesthetic appearance postoperatively will vary depending on the injury and the attending surgeon’s skill level.
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Urological surgeon Paul Perito MD has devoted his entire professional career to treating men suffering from Erectile Dysfunction. He is the founder and namesake of Miami’s Perito Urology, where he conceived and initiated the world’s first minimally invasive approach to penile implantation. Paul Perito MD has performed over 3000 of these procedures on men across the globe that enjoy a shorter recovery time and less scarring than traditional implantation methods. Since 1995, Paul Perito MD and Perito Urology have become synonymous with effective erectile dysfunction treatment and world-class service unparalleled anywhere in the nation. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland Medical School as well as a frequent contributor to text published by medical journals nationwide.
The information contained in this article is provided by Paul Perito MD for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat or diagnose any condition.
Paul Perito MD’s work has been featured in numerous medical journals and publications, including The Journal of Urology, International Journal of 
