Penile erosion in spinal cord injury--an important lesson.

Abstract

A case report of the complications of a spinal cord injury (SCI) patient alternating between indwelling urethral catheter and a condom drainage system for bladder management. To highlight the importance of penile care for bladder drainage following SCI. Spinal Injuries Unit, Stanmore, UK. A 39-year-old male who sustained a lumbar level SCI in December 2000. He presented acutely with leakage of urine around his condom drainage device. The examination revealed an eroded area on the ventral aspect of the proximal penile shaft, which corresponded to the site of condom attachment. An indwelling urethral catheter was inserted as a temporary measure before reconstruction. At operation, in addition to the preoperatively observed area of erosion, the penile urethra was found to be cleaved for almost its entire length. The patient had suffered two complications from a combination of two types of bladder management, and surgery was successful in treating both the urethral cleavage and the skin erosion.