A man from Valencia, Spain, who experienced a prolonged erection lasting 30 hours, has received substantial compensation after a medical error. The 36-year-old sought help at a health center in Albaida when his condition persisted for four hours, as reported by Spanish media.
The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was diagnosed with priapism. According to the Mayo Clinic, priapism is a painful condition characterized by a prolonged erection not necessarily linked to sexual arousal.
This condition occurs when blood is trapped in the penis, necessitating immediate medical attention to avoid tissue damage and potential complications like erectile dysfunction.
Despite identifying the condition, the man claimed in his medical negligence lawsuit that he experienced significant delays in receiving the necessary treatment, and a hospital mishandled surgery on his genitalia.
He visited Ontinyent Hospital with his wife approximately 20 hours after the issue began.
The claimant asserted that he was informed of a further delay to consult with a urologist and was consequently referred to the Lluis Alcanyis Hospital in Xativa.
He was admitted with a fever, a symptom sometimes associated with priapism.
Following standard procedure, doctors performed a blood drainage from his penis and scheduled him for a subsequent appointment to receive a malleable penile prosthesis. This semi-rigid implant aims to assist men in achieving erections, maintaining sexual activity, and quickly alleviating priapism discomfort.
Nevertheless, the patient reported that the prosthesis was improperly fitted, necessitating a second surgery.
In his compensation claim, the man stated he did not receive adequate care from medical staff at the hospitals, resulting in enduring pain and difficulties with achieving and maintaining erections.
He now suffers from irreversible erectile dysfunction, left leg pain, and reduced sensitivity and strength in his right arm, as reported by The Olive Press.
The Valencian regional government has been ordered to compensate the man with $50,000 and an additional $5,000 to his wife for ‘moral’ damages.
The couple reportedly faced a protracted four-year struggle with their claim against the Albaida and Valencian authorities.
Jorge Sanchez, a urologist not involved in the case, explained to local media: “Four or five hours of priapism can cause damage to the penis tissue and 20 hours later the risk is higher.”
“If the erection continues, the only solution is break two tubes in the penis called the corpora cavernosa that fill with blood to make it stiff during an erection.
“If they are ruptured the patient will no longer be able to have an erection and will require a prosthesis”, reports the Daily Mail.