Penile self-harm: a case report and concise clinical review

Abstract

Male genital self-mutilation is extremely rare and may be associated with severe psychopathology. This study reports the case of a 26-year-old man who presented after incising his prepuce with a knife and placing a rubber band around his foreskin. A plastic ring was also found underneath the prepuce. Clinical examination revealed a lateral preputial laceration with gross preputial oedema and dark red discoloration with a clear demarcation where the elastic band had been placed. A pelvic X-ray revealed no other foreign bodies. Following 72 h of observation he developed signs of preputial necrosis, which prompted urgent circumcision; this revealed a healthy underlying glans. In conclusion, male genital self-harm requires urgent urological and psychiatric assessments to prevent surgical and psychiatric sequelae including necrotizing fasciitis and suicide.

Key Words:

• Circumcision
• genital
• penile injury
• self-harm

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.