Genital self-mutilation. Report of 3 cases.

Self-mutilation, a very unusual situation in routine urology, is a rare phenomenon. It is generally observed in a psychotic context, but can be secondary to drug or alcohol abuse. Treatment and management vary, according to the severity of the lesions, the time to presentation and the patients mental state. The authors report 3 cases of self-mutilation, including 1 case of penis amputation, 1 case of strangulation by a metal ring and 1 case of bilateral castration. In the light of these cases and a review of the recent literature, the authors analyse the various psychiatric medicolegal and urological aspects of this deliberate self-injury.