Impact of Time to Surgical Repair on Erectile Function and Clinical Outcomes Following Penile Fracture: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study at Two Specialist Hospitals in North-West Cameroon

Abstract

Background: Penile fracture is a urological emergency that requires prompt surgical repair to prevent functional complications. However, delayed presentation and treatment are common in sub-Saharan Africa, potentially impacting outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of time to surgical intervention on erectile function and other clinical outcomes in penile fracture cases. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted over a five-year period (2019-2024) at Nkwen Baptist Hospital and Regional Hospital Bamenda, Cameroon. Twenty-six patients with confirmed penile fracture who underwent surgical repair were included. Patients were categorized into early (Results: Of the 26 patients, 15 (57.7%) underwent early surgery while 11 (42.3%) had delayed surgery. Erectile dysfunction was observed exclusively in the delayed group (45.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.0163). Time to resume sexual activity was significantly shorter in the early group (9.5 vs. 12.3 weeks, p Conclusion: Early surgical repair (<24 hours) of penile fracture significantly improves erectile function and reduces complications. Timely diagnosis, prompt referral, and increased public awareness are critical for optimal outcomes in penile fracture management.