Congenital penile curvature (chordee without hypospadias)

We treated 30 patients aged six months to nine years with congenital penile curvature from 1988 to 1993. Twenty-four patients appeared to have a primary curvature with normal corpus spongiosum. In 12 of these 24 patients dissecting skin and dartos fascia were adequate to straighten the penis. In the other 12 patients, artificial erection demonstrated a varied degree of convexity of the penis after the skin and dartos fascia release, implying a disproportion of the corpora cavernosa bodies. We corrected this deformity using dorsal tunica albuginea plications (TAP). The remaining 6 patients presented with a primary curvature and hypoplastic urethra. In 5 of these patients we divided the hypoplastic midportion of the urethra leaving the meatus naturally on the glans and replaced the midurethral segment using a tubularized island flap. Of these 5 patients 2 required TAP for penile straightening. The final patient with a hypoplastic urethra was managed by preserving the urethral plate and applying an onlay island flap urethroplasty. Complications were one fistula and two mild ventral penile curvatures, presently not severe enough for reoperation (mean follow-up 2.6 years). We present a systematic approach for the repair of congenital penile curvature using intraoperative artificial erection, TAP, and the island flap urethroplasty when needed.     

Acquired ventral penile curvature: spongiofibrosis caused by urethral manipulation

Fibrosis of the corpus spongiosum, caused by urethral manipulation, and the resulting ventral penile curvatures are known as the urethral manipulation syndrome. This acquired, largely iatrogenic deformity is noticed only be sexually active patients. Partial, gradual disappearance of glans engorgement and irregularities palpable along the penile urethra associated with ventral curvature are constant findings. The post-manipulative ventral curvature can be transient, disappearing when the inflammatory process subsides or the repeated urethral manipulation ceases. Since fibrosis of the corpus spongiosum begins with urethral inflammation, patients in whom irregularities of the penile urethra are observed during urethrography should be questioned about any erectile deformity. Surgical treatment is indicated when the deformity interferes with sexual intercourse or is accompanied by severe urethral strictures.     

Lesion of the urethra and corpus spongiosum in the event of a misstep of the coitus without fracture of the corpus cavernosum: About one case

IntroductionTraumatic lesions of the anterior urethra during coitus strikes are essentially described as lesions associated with 20 percent of corpus cavernosum fractures. However, no cases of isolated lesions of the urethra and corpus spongiosum in the context of sexual trauma seem to be reported in the literature.Thus, we report the observation of a patient who was diagnosed with a corpus spongiosum fracture associated with a penile urethra injury during a coitus lapse.Presentation of casePatient aged 36 years with no particular pathological history, other than unprotected sexual intercourse, who has been admitted to the urology service for urethrorrhagia due to a sexual traumatism.A forced angulation and then a cracking followed by an instantaneous detumescence was described by the patient. On examination we noted a normal-looking penis without angulation or eggplant haematoma, with the presence on palpation of a small infra-centimetric hematoma on the ventral surface of the middle part of the penis.Surgical exploration was therefore indicated in front of the isolated urethrorrhagia, and which objectified a fracture of the corpus spongiosum measuring 1 cm at the level of the distal part of the penis. A linear lesion of the urethra was associated at the same level. The patient was therefore sutured with these two lesions.The postoperative course was simple with removal of the bladder catheter three weeks later with satisfactory urination and urinary stream.Discussionsexual trauma is described as a rupture of the corpora cavernosa, resulting from forced flexion or twisting of the erect penis that can be associated in about 20 % of cases with ruptures of the urethra. We described a trauma occurrence that is similar to the one in the definition responsible of a lesion of the anterior urethra but no lesions of the corpora cavernosa have been objectified.Conclusionthe absence of similar cases reported in the literature leaves this type of lesion subject to ambiguous behaviour. Indeed, this brings us back to questions about the pathophysiological mechanisms of sexual lesions of the urethra in order to better codify the indication for surgical exploration, even in front of a normal looking penis.     

小儿先天性无尿道下裂阴茎下曲畸形的解剖特点及诊治

目的探讨小儿先天性无尿道下裂阴茎下曲畸形的解剖特点及诊治.方法 1984年8月～2004年12月,对94例先天性无尿道下裂阴茎下曲畸形的青春期前患儿进行分类并观察病变解剖特征.年龄18个月～13岁,平均6.9岁.对阴茎下曲明显,弯曲度超过30°者,采用手术治疗.结果Ⅰ型(皮肤型)31例,腹侧皮肤短缩或伴有浅筋膜挛缩,部分呈蹼状阴茎,环切脱套分离后阴茎伸直;Ⅱ型(筋膜型)45例,尿道浅面有明显增厚的纤维索带组织限制阴茎伸直,脱套后需切除纤维索带组织才能伸直阴茎;Ⅲ型(海绵体型)6例,海绵体背、腹侧不对称,尿道与腹侧海绵体紧贴,无明显弓弦关系,作背侧白膜折叠可伸直阴茎;Ⅳ型(尿道型)12例,尿道发育不良,与阴茎海绵体呈明显弓弦关系,需重建尿道才能伸直阴茎.术后阴茎长度增加(术前平均5.2 cm,术后平均6.9 cm),弯曲矫正充分(术前平均42.6°,术后平均1.6 °).术后随访1个月～15年,有2例残留弯曲,2例尿瘘,2例尿道狭窄,1例尿瘘合并尿道狭窄和憩室;再手术后矫正满意.结论在先天性无尿道下裂阴茎下曲畸形中,不同组织层面的解剖学异常决定病变分型,术中应反复行人工勃起试验以明确下曲类型,并据以选择矫正术式.     

Neurovascular bundle dissection for Nesbit procedure in congenital penile curvature patients： medial or lateral？

The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of the modified Nesbit procedure using different techniques for dissecting the neurovascular bundle （NVB） to correct ventral congenital penile curvatures （CPCs）. The bundle was mobilized using the medial and lateral dissection technique in 21 （Group 1） and 13 （Group 2） patients, respectively. In the medial technique, Buck＇s fascia is opened at the dorsal side of the penis, the deep dorsal vein is removed at the most prominent site of the curvature and a diamond-shaped tunica albuginea （TA） is excised from the midline of the penis. In the lateral technique, the bundle is mobilized using a longitudinal lateral incision of the Buck＇s fascia above the urethra at the 5 and 7 o＇clock positions via a bilateral approach. The localization and degree of curvature was evaluated using the combined intracavernous injection stimulation test or from the patients＇ photographs. The mean patient age and degree of curvature were similar between groups. The mean operation time was longer for Group 2 （P= 0.01）. In Group 1, nine patients （42.8%） required one diamond excision, 10 （47.6%） required two diamond excisions and two （9.5%） required more than two excisions; in Group 2, six patients （46.2%） required two diamond excisions and seven patients （53.8%） required more than two diamond excisions （P = 0.019）. The differences in penile shortening, penile straightening and numbness of the glans penis were not statistically significant. Medial dissection of the bundle for the modified Nesbit procedure reduces the number of diamond-shaped removals of TA and thus shortens operation time in comparison with its lateral counterpart.     

Neuroanatomy of the male urethra and perineum

OBJECTIVE: To describe the topography of the perineal nerves from their pudendal origin to their course into the male genitalia, with specific attention on the course of the perineal nerve along the ventral penis, including branches into bulbospongiosus muscle and corpus spongiosum. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 18 normal human fetal penile specimens at 17.5-38 weeks of gestation (determined by fetal heel-to-toe length). Specimens were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin wax and serially sectioned at 6 micro m. The penile specimens contained the whole penis from the glans to the crural bodies, beneath the pubic arch and the perineum up to the anal verge. Immunocytochemistry was assessed on selected sections with antibodies against the neuronal markers S-100 and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). Three-dimensional computer reconstruction of serial sections allowed an in-depth analysis of the neuroanatomy of the fetal penis, perineum and surrounding structures. RESULTS: After the pudendal nerve leaves the pudendal canal it gives rise to the perineal nerve branches in the ischiorectal fossa. Perineal nerves travel alongside the ischiocavernous and bulbospongiosus muscles and before reaching the latter, nerve branches course into the bulbospongiosus muscle. During its pathway within this muscle, fine nerve fibres course into the corpus spongiosum by piercing through the junction of the muscle. At the penoscrotal area, the perineal nerves give branches to the scrotum, funnelling into the interscrotal septum. Perineal nerves continue their pathway over the ventral side of penis covering the ventral surface of corpus spongiosum. Branches of the dorsal nerve of the penis at the junction of corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum assemble into a network with the perineal nerves. All perineal nerves from their main trunk at the ischiorectal fossa until their interaction with dorsal nerve of penis at the base of penis were nNOS negative. After the interaction with the dorsal nerve of penis, they become nNOS positive. CONCLUSION: Integrating neuroanatomical knowledge about the perineal nerves and their communication with the dorsal nerve of penis should facilitate a strategic approach to reconstructive procedures on the penis. Special care should be taken at the junction between the corpora cavernosa and spongiosa, where the dorsal nerve joins the perineal nerve, and at the proximal bulbospongiosus muscle, thereby protecting the fine nerves piercing into the cavernosa spongiosa.     

Cavernosography following clinical failure of penile vein ligation for erectile dysfunction

In an attempt to determine what occurs to the venous circulation of the penis after ligation of the deep dorsal vein, 9 men with veno-occlusive dysfunction who underwent deep dorsal penile vein ligation and failed to achieve normal erectile function postoperatively consented to a postoperative cavernosogram. Preoperatively, the deep dorsal vein was visualized in all 9 patients, the cavernous vein in 2 and the corpus spongiosum in 1. Postoperatively, the deep dorsal vein was visualized in 1 patient, the cavernous vein in 1 and the corpus spongiosum in 8. These observations suggest that either the inability to identify a cavernous-spongiosal communication preoperatively or the induction of such a communication postoperatively may lead to a clinical failure in patients who undergo deep dorsal penile vein ligation.     

Combined Dorsal and Ventral Buccal Mucosal Graft Urethroplasty by Unilateral Mobilisation of Urethra with Single Dorsal Urethrotomy Incision in Long Segment Anterior Urethral Strictures

The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of combined dorsal and ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty by unilateral mobilisation of urethra with single dorsal urethrotomy incision in long and narrow anterior urethral strictures with preserving the narrow urethral plate and blood supply. Between June 2012 and July 2016, 26 men with long anterior urethral strictures underwent urethroplasty by our technique in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The urethra was mobilised only one side. Then, it was opened in the dorsal midline over the stricture. The first graft was secured on the tunica of the corporal bodies. Thereafter, the diseased mucosa on the ventral side of the urethra was excised and the second graft was placed as ventral inlay and fixed to the corpus spongiosum. The cut edges of urethra were closed by suturing to dorsally placed graft. Successful urethral reconstruction was defined as normal voiding without the need for any postoperative procedure. Mean follow-up was 36 months and mean stricture length was 4.29 cm. Of these 26 cases, 23 (88.4%) were successful and 3 (11.53%) were treatment failures with restricture. The combined dorsal plus ventral buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty by unilateral mobilisation of urethra with single dorsal urethrotomy incision provides adequate urethral augmentation by preserving urethral vascularity and the narrow strip of urethral plate in long and tight anterior urethral strictures.     

后型尿道下裂二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术的临床研究

目的探讨采用二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术治疗后型尿道下裂的临床研究。方法81例后型尿道下裂病例采用二期手术：一期手术将阴茎海绵体完全伸直,阴茎包皮内板和背侧皮肤预置于阴茎腹侧;二期手术采用半管状阴茎阴囊皮肤＋半管状膀胱黏膜成形尿道术。结果81例后型尿道下裂患者矫形后形态几乎接近正常。手术成功率为86．4％（70／81）,尿瘘发生率为13．6％（11／81）,8例（9．9％,8／81）发生尿道狭窄,经尿道扩张治疗后痊愈。结论二期膀胱黏膜半管状重建尿道术治疗后型尿道下裂的手术成功率较高,值得临床推荐。     

A preliminary report of penile transplantation

A 44-year-old male recipient with traumatic penile defect that occurred 8 mo earlier was matched with a 22-year-old, male, brain-dead donor. Transplantation included anastomosis of urethra corpus spongiosum and corpus cavernosum, and sutures of deep dorsal vein, dorsal artery, dorsal nerve, and superficial dorsal vein. Systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulation, antispasm agents, and immunosuppressants were given postoperatively. The recipient could urinate smoothly in a standing position at day 10 after removal of Foley catheter. At day 14 postoperatively because of a severe psychological problem of the recipient and his wife, the transplanted penis was cut off. Pathologic examination showed no rejection.     

Development of the human anterior urethra

To further our understanding of the development of the anterior urethra a series of 38 normal human fetuses ranging from the end of the embryonic period proper to the third trimester of gestation were studied. Tissues prepared as serial histological sections were examined and appropriate specimens were reconstructed. The formation of the bulbar and spongy urethra occurred by proliferation of mesenchyme underlying the epithelium of the urethral folds, causing the creation of a tubular urethra by epithelial fusion in the ventral midline. The tubular urethra becomes invested by mesenchyme, the future corpus spongiosum. This process of fusion of the urethral folds extends to the glans penis. At this period of development the glans contains the urethral plate, a lamina of epithelium lacking a lumen. The mechanism of the subsequent connection of the spongy urethra to the canalized urethral plate has been the point of controversy. Our observations support the idea that 3 processes must act in synchrony to produce successful completion of the anterior urethra: 1) the prepuce forms by overgrowing the glans due to proliferation of the penile skin and subcutaneous tissues, and in so doing it continues the progression of closure of the urethral folds into the glans and forms the frenulum by its fusion on the ventral aspect, 2) the mesenchyme surrounding the prolongation of the urethra fuses with the mesenchyme of the glans, which before this time had existed as a mesenchymal structure distinct from the corpus spongiosum or corpus cavernosum and 3) the epithelium of the urethral plate within the glans, which underlies the epithelial tag, becomes canalized and develops continuity with the lumen of the spongy urethra.     

Anatomic levels: important landmarks in penectomy specimens: a detailed anatomic and histologic study based on examination of 44 cases

The majority of squamous cell carcinomas of the penis arise from the glans, and the prognosis is related significantly to the depth of invasion of crucial anatomic landmarks. Accurate information related to this can only be obtained when specimens are carefully evaluated grossly. Most pathologists in developed countries encounter resected specimens of penile carcinoma infrequently, and gross evaluation is occasionally suboptimal, potentially preventing obtaining reliable prognostic information. The four distinct levels of the glans penis are the epithelium, lamina propria, corpus spongiosum, and corpus cavernosum. A simple method for pathologic evaluation of the glans is presented. Noteworthy findings in our study of a South American population were that the distance from the lamina propria to tunica albuginea ranged from 7 to 13 to 6 mm at the dorsal, central, and ventral areas of the corpus spongiosum, respectively. The most distal portion of the corpus cavernosum was located within the glans in 34 of 44 cases and in the body of the penis in only 10. The corpus spongiosum was thinner in the former cases. These anatomic variations may bear on prognosis.     

Ⅱ期原位皮瓣尿道成型治疗阴茎阴囊型尿道下裂26例体会

目的 探讨Ⅱ期原位皮瓣尿道成型术治疗阴茎阴囊型尿道下裂的临床疗效,提高先天性尿道下裂患者的手术治疗水平。方法 将2011年1月至2016年1月收治的26例阴茎阴囊型尿道下裂患者采取Ⅰ期阴茎伸直,包皮行阴茎腹侧皮瓣转移,6个月后行Ⅱ期原位皮瓣尿道成型术治疗尿道下裂。结果 26例患者中2例出现尿道狭窄,经规律尿道扩张后排尿症状改善;1例出现吻合口尿瘘,6个月后修补成功;所有病例均随访2~3年,排尿通畅,疗效满意。结论 原位皮瓣尿道成形,保证了成形尿道血供,降低了吻合口张力,具有损伤小,术后水肿轻,尿瘘、尿道狭窄发生率较低等优点,可有效提高手术疗效。     

Modified corporoplasty for the treatment of penile curvature

A technique based on the Heineke-Mikulicz principle was used to straighten penile curvature instead of Nesbit corporoplasty. By horizontally closing the longitudinal incisions the longer portion of the tunica albuginea is made equal in length to the shorter side. This technique achieves the same results as Nesbit corporoplasty in a simpler manner. Because of the distance between the longitudinal incision and the neurovascular bundle or corpus spongiosum these structures become less susceptible to injuries during an operation and need not be mobilized. Our experience with 10 cases treated with this technique is presented.     

Histological analysis of urethral healing after tubularized incised plate urethroplasty

PURPOSE: Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty has rapidly gained popularity for treating hypospadias. It is presumed that healing occurs with the postoperative migration of epithelial cells into the incised urethral plate. We describe the time course and histology of the healing urethral wound in an animal model after dorsal incision and stenting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A procedure was developed for use in an immature porcine model. The ventral aspect of the urethra was opened and a dorsal incision was made in the urethra to the level of the corpus spongiosum. The urethra was then catheterized and closed ventrally. Animals were sacrificed at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days. Slides were made from multiple cross sections taken from each penis, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson trichrome before analysis. RESULTS: Migration of epithelial cells into the dorsal epithelial defect was evident on postoperative day 2 with apparent complete re-epithelialization by postoperative day 5. Regions of increased fibroblastic activity were observed in the subepithelial stroma below the incised area on postoperative day 3 and early collagen deposition was noted in these areas when stained with Masson trichrome. These areas appeared to organize and by postoperative day 21 there was little evidence of increased fibroblastic activity or excess collagen deposition. CONCLUSIONS: Urethral healing after incision and tubularization over a catheter in our model occurred through normal re-epithelialization without excess collagen deposition or scarring.     

Personal treatment of congenital penile curvature

Severe type I congenital curvature of the penis is characterised by an almost transparent hypoplasia uretra. Treatment consists of resecetion of the dysplasic urethra and its replacement by tubular grafts of preputial or extragenital skin or of the vesical or buccal mucous membrane. We present our experience of four patient with type I congenital curvature of the penis which we treated with a simple surgical technique consisting of leaving the over-lying skin attached to the hypoplasia urethra and resecting the remaining fibrotic tissue which is connected to and retracts the skin and the cavernous bodies. We performed plastic surgery of the dorsal surface of the tunica albuginea to achieve correct penis hardening and finalized the surgery with reconstruction of the ventral surface of the penis by spreading out the dorsal prepuce or by using a pediculated graft of surplus preputial skin.     

Successful surgical correction of true diphallia, scrotal duplication, and associated hypospadias

A 1-year-old child with complete duplication of penis presented with continuous dribbling of urine. Examination revealed hypospadias of 1 penis and a duplicated scrotum with 2 normal testes. Cystourethrogram revealed a single bladder with a normal urethra in the dorsally placed phallus and ectopic insertion into the bladder of the ventral urethra. Abnormality was corrected by excision of the ventrally located penis bearing the ectopic urethra. The preputial skin of this ventral penis was used to repair the hypospadias of the dorsal penis. The case is being reported in view of its rarity and the successful surgical correction.     

Correction of chordee. The Nesbit procedure

In select patients the Nesbit operation is a useful procedure for the correction of congenital or acquired chordee. This operation results in a deliberate shortening of the convex surface of the corpora cavernosa to counterbalance congenital or acquired shortening on the opposite side. Precise placement of the corrective tuck allows complete correction of the chordee with minimal disturbance of normal tissue. An artificial erection should be created to permit precise identification of the point of maximal curvature on the longer (convex) side of the penis. The transverse elliptical segment to be removed should be placed precisely at this point and should be of sufficient width to result in complete correction of the chordee. Care should be taken to remove only a segment of the tunica albuginea without damaging the underlying erectile tissue. In cases of ventral chordee, the corrective procedure will require elevation of the neurovascular bundle. In cases of dorsal chordee, the procedure will require elevation of the urethra and corpus spongiosum. A repeat artificial erection insures that an adequate correction has been obtained.     

A closer look at iatrogenic hypospadias

Almost all surgical repair techniques for hypospadias include dissection of the glans penis, and covering the neo-urethra with the glans tissue circumferentially. Surprisingly, the presence of the “septum glandis” in the ventral midline has been overlooked for decades. A careful examination of six patients with iatrogenic hypospadias (IH) revealed direct indications of the septum glandis. All patients were treated with long-term urethral catheterisation in the paediatric intensive care unit due to neurologic and/or metabolic diseases. The glans was disrupted in all patients due to ventral midline compression of the urethral catheter, which resulted in a tear in the septum glandis. A remnant of the septum glandis was clearly observed in patients with an incomplete tear. Further injuries caused tear in the frenulum and corpus spongiosum, exposed the glanular urethra and made its vertical elliptical shape, the “fossa navicularis”, visible. Intact contours of the separated glans wings were observed in all patients. The glans wings merge ventrally in the midline, but are separated by a fine connective tissue (septum glandis) in conjunction with the frenulum, which is involved in the formation of the ventral wall of the glanular urethra. IH provides further insight into the structural anatomy of the normal human glans and glanular urethra.     

Preservation of the thin distal urethra in hypospadias repair

PURPOSE: We report our experience with preserving the thin distal urethra lacking corpus spongiosum for the treatment of hypospadias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to October 1999 we treated primary hypospadias in 77 boys with a mean age of 4 years 10 months. After degloving the penile skin a segment of thin distal urethra lacking corpus spongiosum was noted in 18 patients (23.4%) with a mean age of 3 years 5 months. The thin distal urethra was preserved and incorporated as part of urethroplasty (group 1). The procedure was primarily completed by tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. We also performed tubularized incised plate urethroplasty in 31 boys (40.3%) with a mean age of 5 years 2 months who had normal coverage of the corpus spongiosum of a hypospadiac urethra (group 2). We compared the results of treatment in these 2 groups. The remaining 28 patients (36.4%) treated with other methods were excluded from study. RESULTS: In group 1 the distance from the original meatus to the urethra covered by healthy corpus spongiosum was 4 to 20 mm. (mean 8.2). If the thin distal urethra had been excised, the urethral meatus would have been relocated more proximal in these boys. Mean followup in groups 1 and 2 was 9.9 and 7.6 months, respectively. Postoperatively there were 2 (11.1%) urethrocutaneous fistulas in group 1 and 4 (12.9%) in group 2. Tubularized incised plate repair was successful in all 10 cases (100%) of distal hypospadias in group 2, and in 15 of 18 (83.3%) and 17 of 21 (81%) of proximal hypospadias cases in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the success rate of hypospadias repair in the groups. CONCLUSIONS: We noted a significantly thin distal urethra in 23.4% of our cases of primary hypospadias. Mean length of the thin distal urethra was 8.2 mm. Preserving the thin distal urethra may simplify the operative procedure without compromising the surgical results of tubularized incised plate urethroplasty.