Partial Penile Amputation Due to Penile Tourniquet Syndrome in a Child With Primary Nocturnal Enuresis: A Rare Emergency

In 2013, a case report detailed an 8-year-old boy who suffered from partial penile amputation due to penile tourniquet syndrome (PTS), a rare emergency condition. The child, troubled by primary nocturnal enuresis, had tied a thread around his penis, which led to constriction and subsequent injury. Upon examination, the boy presented with swelling, phimosis, skin loss, and deep ulceration. Under general anesthesia, the constricting thread was removed, and the wound was cleaned, debrided, and repaired in layers. The report emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely intervention to prevent severe complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula, complete urethral transection, and penile gangrene, which could necessitate partial or total amputation. The case highlighted that PTS is most commonly caused by hair coil injury in infants but can also occur in older children due to various reasons, including psychosexual disorders, cognitive impairment, or child abuse. The treatment typically involves removal of the constriction, decompression, debridement, and layered wound repair, with more severe cases requiring urethral repair or penile amputation.