Case Report: Penile Strangulation Secondary to Hair Tourniquet

August 2020 in “ Frontiers in Pediatrics ”

William F. Rawls, Jeffrey T. White, Ahmad Mohamed, Dennis S. Peppas, Eran Rosenberg

hair tourniquet penile strangulation urethral injury penile necrosis depilatory cream mechanical removal

TLDR Penile strangulation from hair can cause severe harm but can be treated if caught early.

The document described two cases of penile strangulation in young boys caused by maternal hair tourniquets, a rare but serious condition. Both cases involved penile swelling and erythema, which were initially misdiagnosed. Successful treatment involved careful examination and removal of the hair strands in the emergency department. The report emphasized the importance of early recognition and proper management to prevent severe complications such as urethral injury and penile necrosis. It also highlighted the need for educating caregivers on prevention strategies and the necessity for healthcare providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for this condition.

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Research cited in this study

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