Drainage of the penis for priapism

Below is a short (5 minute) video animation created by Maj Shabbir (Consultant Urological Surgeon at Guy's Hospital), Rachel Kesse-Adu (Consultant Haematologist at Guy's Hospital), the Sickle Cell Society UK and supported with funding from Boston Scientific, working with an animation company Elara Systems. 

The animation recently won three awards at the 77^th Annual association of Medical Illustrators Conference , including the Award for Excellence in Education, the inaugural Social Impact Award for work that addresses diversity and inclusive representation, and was handpicked from all attendees for The Member's Choice Award, the highest honour in the organisation.   

Sickle cell disease is one of the most common genetic disorders worldwide. It's the underlying cause for approximately 60% of all paediatric priapism cases. Although 75% of patients will get their first episode under the age of 20 (mean age 15), only 5% of men with sickle cell ever recall learning about priapism as a possible complication of their disease. The outcome of this condition is time sensitive - in most published series 90% of patients present after 12 hours, and 1 in 3 after 24 hours with irreversible damage. Almost 50% of surveyed men have never had treatment for their priapism, common themes for this being fear, embarrassment and a history of bad experiences when presenting to health care professionals. 

Our video is aimed at boys with sickle cell - and their carers - to give them an idea of what priapism is, and what to do if they ever get one. It has had excellent feedback as a helpful tool for urology and haematology teams.