User:Ethanbas/Penile strangulation

Penile strangulation refers to strangulation injuries to the penis, also called incarceration injuries, caused by hair, rubber bands, or other objects. It is a medical emergency that afflicts the human penis.

This is the second most common soft tissue injury in children. Hair strangulation may be hard to diagnose due to the anatomy of the penis; the hair causing the strangulation may be hidden under the coronal sulcus if it is swollen. In adults, strangulation injuries that require medical treatment can be caused by a variety of objects typically used for the purpose of sexual gratification, extending the time of an erection, or enuresis, including metal rings, which must be removed by specialized cutting instruments. The object can also be removed by decompressing the penis. Because the vasculature of the penis is compressed, a variety of complications can result from strangulation injuries, depending on whether the veins, arteries, or both are compressed, including mild, reversible vascular obstruction; ischemic necrosis; gangrene and kidney damage; lymphedema; ulceration; urethrocutaneous fistula, loss of sensation; urethral injury; sepsis; and autoamputation.

Penile strangulation injuries that require medical attention are rare: since their first description in 1755, there have been approximately 60–120 reported cases. Though usually acute, cases of chronic strangulation and acute cases lasting up to one month have been reported.

Objects that have been reported to cause penile strangulation

 * Wedding ring
 * Steel ring
 * Bottle