4 Conditions That Trigger Penis Amputation

Medical Video: John Bobbitt Reflects on Infamous Penis Amputation

Amputation of the penis is a complete or partial cutting of the penis. This comprehensive amputation consists of cutting the cavernosa (penile shaft) and urethra. Penile amputation often occurs accidentally and can certainly harm yourself. Some cases of penile amputation are triggered by injury and severe illness. To find out more, let's look below.

Triggers penis amputation

1. Injury to circumcision

Circumcision is one of the most common operations in urology, which is usually a safe and simple process with a low accident rate. However, serious complications can occur because of unprofessional practices carried out. Penile injury due to circumcision varies, from infection, disability, to total amputation of the penis.

Gee et al. Reported a complication rate of 0.2-0.6% that ranged from bleeding, lymphedema, fistula formation, and iatrogenic hypospadias, to amputation of part or all of the penile gland. Penile injury is most common in children. There were 64 boys who were hospitalized for 20 years, and among them there were 43 children (67%) caused by circumcision. Although circumcision is considered a minor surgical procedure, it is still not free from complications.

2. Animal bite injuries

Children have a tendency to be bitten by animals, and the most common is dog bites. Although most injuries are not severe, almost total penile amputation has been reported. At present, there are not many complications of infection because some of the wounds were initially treated well, using antibiotics. The initial treatment strategy involves cleaning the wound with clean enough water, handling wound infections, and administering antibiotics. In some cases, vaccination against tetanus and rabies is needed.

3. Parafimosis

Parafimosis can occur after erection or sexual activity, as a result of injury to the head of the penis. Parafimosis causes the penile scalp to be trapped behind the head of the penis. If this condition lasts long, it will cause pain and swelling, and damage the blood flow to the penis. In extreme cases, lack of blood flow can result in tissue death (gangrene), and possibly amputation.

Parafimosis treatment focuses on reducing the penile head swelling and penile scalp. Compressing ice can help reduce swelling, which may put pressure on the head of the penis to forcibly bleed and bleed. If these steps fail to reduce swelling, injection drugs can be used to help drain the penis if needed. In severe cases, the surgeon can make a small wound on the scalp of the penis to remove it. Circumcision can also be used for the treatment of this condition.

4. Penile cancer

Penile cancer is a rare form of cancer. This happens when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably on the penis. Benign (non-cancerous) tumors can develop and become cancerous. The exact cause of penile cancer is unknown, but there are risk factors (factors that can increase risk) for this disease, namely:

Not circumcision: Men who are not circumcised when they are young are at high risk of developing penile cancer.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: HPV includes more than 100 types of viruses that can cause warts. Some types of HPV can infect the reproductive organs and anal area. This type of HPV is transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact.
Smoke: Smoking exposes the body to many cancer-causing chemicals that can affect the lungs and others.
Smegma: Oily fluid from the skin can accumulate under the scalp of the penis (foreskin). The result will be a thick and smelly substance called smegma. If the penis is not thoroughly cleaned, the presence of smegma can cause irritation and inflammation.
Fimosis: This is a condition in which the foreskin becomes constricted and difficult to stretch.
Treatment for psoriasis: Psoriasis skin disease is sometimes treated with a combination of drugs and exposure to ultraviolet light, which can increase the risk of penile cancer.
Age: More than half of cases of penile cancer occur in men over the age of 68 years.