Curvature correction in patients with tunical rupture: a necessary adjunct to repair.

Abstract

We review our experience with traumatic tunical rupture repair with and without simultaneous penile curvature correction. Since November 1987, 11 men 23 to 39 years old have presented to us with tunical rupture, of whom 10 underwent surgical repair. All except 1 of the 8 men injured during sexual activity reported a curved penile appearance during erection. After patient 3 in our series sustained repeat rupture 5 months postoperatively due to penile curvature the next 7 underwent simultaneous curvature correction, which since 1996 has been done using 6-zero nylon. Recovery was uneventful in 2 of the 3 men who underwent simple tunical repair with 4-zero polyglactin or polyglycolic acid. All 7 of subsequent patients in whom curvature correction was performed simultaneously recovered satisfactorily with resumed erectile capability. Although coital position may be an important factor in tunical rupture during sexual activity, penile curvature may be contributory and should be corrected simultaneously with tunical repair.