Hair Coil Strangulation—An Uncommon Cause of Penile Edema

Abstract

Penile strangulation by hair coil is an uncommon, under-recognized condition with a spectrum of potential complications including urethral transection and partial or complete penile amputation. Early recognition and treatment can greatly reduce the incidence of these devastating complications. We report a 5-year-old, circumcised boy with penile edema and erosions secondary to a hair wrapped around the coronal sulcus. Prompt diagnosis and removal of the hair led to rapid resolution without surgical repair. We also analyze the possible underlying causes which can lead to strangulation of the penis with a hair.

Surgical Management of Hair-coil Penile Injury: Anatomical Insights and Grading System

“…Astonishingly, we have seen cases with delay in the diagnosis for some weeks. This would raise a question about the degree of accompanying pain in such conditions [5], which appears to be ameliorated by the very slow but steady progressive course of the disease.…”

“…Hair-coil penile injury is an uncommon condition [5,7], which is occasionally encountered by the pediatric surgeon. In this study, we had an average rate of two cases per year.…”

“…The etiology of hair-coil syndrome remains a matter of speculation [5], although most probably accidental [6]. The anatomy of the male genitalia may predispose to such condition by causing a 'wet human hair' to get stuck in the coronal sulcus around the penis [5].…”

Emergency management of penile strangulation: a case report and review of the Chinese literature

“…Prompt decompression and restoration of the penile circulation by emergency physicians and urologists is essential to reduce the incidence of serious complications 1 2. Non-metal or thin metal rings are easily removable by severing, but heavy metal rings pose a challenge to emergency physicians and urologists.…”

Case report. Het haartourniquetsyndroom

“…In een vroeg stadium presenteren patiënten zich met peniel oedeem, eczeem, erosies en coronale fissuren. De haarstreng blijft vaak onopgemerkt doordat deze zich in een groeve van oedemateus weefsel bevindt [4]. Door uitblijven van een juiste diagnose en daarmee inadequate behandeling, ontstaat progressie van de aandoening, met als gevolg urethrafistelvorming, urethrale transsectie, gangreen en uiteindelijk amputatie van de glans.…”