Between 1971-1976, 197 patients were treated for perineal burns. These patients constituted 13% of all patients hospitalized for burns, had an average burn size of 56%, had a mean age of 30 yr and showed a male to female ratio of 3.4:1. Significant bacteriuria was noted in 72% of the patients and 50% had the same organism cultured from the blood. In 20% of the cases the positive urine culture preceded the blood culture. Specific genitourinary complications included 2 cases of prostatic abscesses, 4 cases of periurethral abscesses, 5 cases of suppurative epididymo-orchitis, 4 cases of renal abscesses and 2 cases of acute ascending pyelonephritis. The mortality for this group was 67%. Early recognition of these complications is imperative but difficult since the usual signs are absent. A high index of suspicion promotes early recognition and aggressive management is indicated when they are found. The cutaneous injury should be treated conservatively with respect to debridement. Patients with severe burns on the ventral surface of the penis should undergo suprapubic diversion, thus removing the Foley catheter from this portion of the urethra. Contractures are the most common long-term complications and are treated by wide release with laterally placed darts and application of stented split thickness grafts. These principles were used to preserve function in the majority of the survivors.