Penetrating Scrotal Trauma: A Case Report and Brief Management with Literature Review

Penetrating scrotal trauma is an uncommon injury that is often secondary to civilian or combat violence. Much of the literature on the topic is from case reports, small retrospective series from civilian trauma centers, and reports from combat zones. In this manuscript, a case report involving self-inflicted penetrating scrotal trauma from our institution is presented. Following the case report, accepted management strategies and recent literature on the topic of penetrating scrotal trauma are reviewed. Briefly, current management strategies for penetrating scrotal injuries involve initial resuscitation and stabilization of the patient, followed by operative exploration, with the primary operative goals of hemostasis, debridement, and testicular salvage. Recent case series of penetrating scrotal trauma have shown rates of testicular salvage that vary between institutions, mechanism of injury, and setting (civilian vs military/combat).