Penile entrapment with strangulation is a rare clinical entity requiring urgent decompression. [1] Entrapping object is usually applied when penis is flaccid or semi-erect. It becomes impossible to remove when penis becomes erect leading to swelling of the penis distal to the object. [2] The management of this condition poses unique challenges to the treating physician through variable presentation as well as lack of specific treatment options. No standard treatment modality is described in literature; every case needs an individual approach depending upon the circumstances and facilities available. [3] Therefore, penile entrapment remains a challenge occasionally faced by urologists; it is tasking and requires ingenuity for successful treatment. [4]

Methods described in literature include aspiration of corpora, use of saws, grinders, bolt cutters, and dental drills. Others include denudation of penile skin with postoperative skin grafting, amputation or use of myofascial flap for reconstruction of penis [3].

We report this case to illustrate a surgical technique used in the management of a penile entrapment with successful outcome.

A 16-year-old boy presented in accident and emergency department with 4 days history of entrapment of his penile shaft in a steel ball bearing which he has used for erotic purpose. The ring had slipped in easily and entrapped after penile erection with failure of all attempts to remove the metal ring. He did not seek any help until four days. Later when he reported to relatives who made several attempts at remove the metal ring including use of metal cutting saws with no success. Urine stream has reduced progressively with increasing straining at micturition.

On examination, stainless steel ring of about 1.5 cm width impacted at the base of the penile shaft with marked swelling of the penile shaft distal to the metal ring and two areas of dark discolorations were noted on the penile skin. (Figure 1) Sensory sensations were preserved on the penile shaft but arterial pulsation was not palpable. Initial attempts by lubrication and gentle traction on ring were unsuccessful following which he was transferred to the operating room. After failure of Gigli, orthopedic and metal cutting saws, he was given general anesthesia through a face mask, a transverse circumcising incision was made just proximal to the coronal sulcus, and this was extended vertically on the midline of the ventral surface of the penis. This incision was deepened to the sub-dartos plane, skin and dartos layer were subsequently raised off the Buck's fascia. Fluid with blood oozed out of the subcutaneous tissue with swelling of skin and subcutaneous tissue observed to reduce immediately. The skin and subcutaneous tissue then slid easily under the metal ring, (Figure 2) followed by the erectile tissue contained within the Buck's fascia. (Figure 3) Following removal of the metal ring, the skin was closed in single layer using nylon 3–0 suture. (Figure 4) Size 14 Foley's catheter was passed and left in place for 48 hours.

Postoperative period was uneventful and he was discharged and sutures were removed on 4th and 8th postoperative days, respectively. The skin recovered completely and there was no complaint with urination and erection thereafter (Figure 5). He attended clinic for five months and lost to follow-up thereafter.

Though rare, penile entrapment can be associated with serious complications. It causes blockage of the venous return resulting in swelling of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissue distal to the object. Delay in treatment results in penile strangulation with ischemic necrosis and gangrene of the tissue. [5]

Treatment requires urgent removal of the offending device and decompression of edema to prevent ischemic injury to the affected tissues. Various methods for removal of the various constricting devices have been documented in literature, these often involves consultation of various services, including emergency services to obtain special instruments to remove the constricting object. [3] [6] [7] [8] [9] Most authors have canvassed for a multi-disciplinary approach including the assistance of jewelers and locksmiths and fire department to procure appropriate tools for removal. [1] A few surgical techniques have also been described including winding of silk from the glans, string techniques and aspiration of corpora tissue. [5] [10] None of these methods is considered a standard modality of treatment; each case needs an individual approach depending upon the encircling material, assessment of severity and available facilities and tools. [3]

The method presented in this report is applicable and successful because the swelling in penile entrapment is due mainly to venous engorgement resulting in swelling mostly in the skin and the subcutaneous fascia (dartos) which is loosely attached to the underlying Buck's fascia. In addition, thickness of Buck's fascia and corporeal tissue resist pressure on the deep vessels, avoiding gangrene of the erectile bodies. [3] These facts allow for easy elevation of the penile covering over Buck's fascia and its content (degloving). As soon as degloving started, fluid and blood was observed to egress from the subcutaneous tissues with immediate reduction of the swelling of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissue. This gave space for skin and subcutaneous tissue to slide under the constricting ring first and the penile shaft thereafter.

This procedure is simple, purely surgical and not new to most urologists because it is part of some forms of urethroplasty for hypospadias and urethral stricture. It obviates need for any special instrument and further delay in waiting for fire fighters, jewelers or locksmiths.

Penile entrapment and strangulation remains a rare challenge to urologist worldwide with need for emergency decompression to prevent grave complications. Simple degloving of the penis reduces the swelling and allows easy removal of the constricting object.

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