Penile fracture exploration and repair
Urgent exposure and closure of traumatic tunica albuginea rupture, with active evaluation for associated urethral injury.
Interactive 3D Interactive operative model Open the 3D animation Teaching catalogue only. This coverage record is not a patient pathway or operative instruction.
Typical place in practice
Clinical or imaging-supported penile fracture, especially with deformity, expanding haematoma or features suggesting urethral injury.
Alternatives and neighbouring procedures
Non-operative management is generally reserved for cases in which fracture has been confidently excluded or exceptional circumstances after specialist discussion.
Same procedure family, explicit technique branches
These are variations of this canonical operation. Complication modules below identify whether they apply to all branches or only to named approaches.
Circumferential degloving exploration
Offers broad inspection of one or both corporal bodies and urethra.
Targeted longitudinal incision
Limits dissection when the rupture site is clearly defined.
Combined urethral repair
Repairs an associated partial or complete urethral injury.
High-level sequence
Coverage outline only; not a step-by-step technical guide.
- Confirm injury pattern and assess urinary symptoms
- Expose the suspected corporal defect
- Evacuate haematoma and identify all tears
- Close the tunica and repair urethra when required
- Check straightness, haemostasis and postoperative urinary drainage
Every failure mode is its own module.
Timing and variation coverage are recorded for each module.
Missed urethral injury
An unrecognised urethral tear can later present with leakage, infection or stricture.
Applies to: All variantsBleeding, haematoma or infection
Residual bleeding can obscure a second tear and compromise wound healing.
Applies to: All variantsWound or glans ischaemia
Extensive skin mobilisation can threaten oedematous or already compromised tissue.
Applies to: Circumferential degloving explorationPenile curvature, plaque or palpable suture line
Tunical healing can produce deformity or a symptomatic scar.
Applies to: All variantsErectile dysfunction or altered sensation
The injury and repair can affect erectile tissue, vascular inflow or sensation.
Applies to: All variantsUrethral stricture or fistula
A repaired urethral injury can scar or break down.
Applies to: Combined urethral repairSources for this module
Renal, ureteric, bladder, urethral and genital trauma and reconstruction.
Accessed 2026-08-03 · opens source British Association of Urological Surgeons Patient information leaflets by procedureUK patient-facing procedure, alternatives, recovery and complication framing.
Accessed 2026-08-03 · opens source