ANATOMICAL ALIGNMENT FOR THE CORRECTION OF BURIED PENIS

Purpose

We report a straightforward surgical technique for the correction and anatomical alignment of the skin in patients with various degrees of buried penis.

Materials and Methods

A combined series of 74 patients 7 months to 10 years old who were treated for buried penis at 2 institutions during a 7-year period. Patients presented with various symptoms, including balanitis, urinary tract infection, painful voiding, ballooning of the foreskin and urinary retention. In 29 patients (38%) trapped penis was due to previous circumcision. In our estimation the major anatomical defect in buried penis is an insufficient attachment of the dartos fascia and penile skin to Buck's fascia. Our technique involves making a circumferential incision of the inner preputial skin layer proximal to the corona, unfurling it from the shaft skin and leaving a coronal collar of approximately 1 cm. The annular band that usually constricts the corpora on retraction of the penile skin is incised, and the remaining proximal penile skin and dartos fascia are dissected off Buck's fascia proximally to the base of the penis. The penile dermis is sutured to the lateral aspect of the tunica albuginea at the penopubic junction and mid shaft of the penis. This technique restores normal anatomical relationships with excellent cosmetic results and negligible complications.

Results

At a median 5-year followup cosmesis was excellent in all case. Two patients with micropenis who required revision responded to endocrine therapy.

Conclusions

Excellent cosmetic results were obtained in all cases using this surgical technique.     

Circumcision in 'buried penis'--a cautionary tale

BACKGROUND: The aim of a circumcision is to remove sufficient foreskin from the penile shaft and preputial epithelium to uncover the glans. Removal of too much preputial skin may lead to an unsatisfactory cosmetic and functional result. Patients with a congenital anomaly known as 'buried penis' are particularly susceptible to this. In this condition, abnormal dartos fascial bands or muscle fibres tether the penile shaft and as a result conceal its true length. CASE REPORT: A 5-year-old boy underwent circumcision but his 'buried penis' was not recognised by the surgeon pre-operatively. Unfortunately, his penile shaft was left almost entirely denuded of skin as a result. The wound required a full thickness graft. Follow-up at 1 year has so far been satisfactory. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the importance of early recognition of a buried penis when considering circumcision. It demonstrates the abnormal anatomy of a buried penis and its management. It also provides a potential reconstructive option in cases of excess skin removal.     

Buried penis. A novel approach

Buried penis is a congenital abnormality in which the phallus is concealed within the subcutaneous tissue. The corporal bodies and glans have developed normally. A deficiency of penile shaft skin in association with abnormal mobility of the skin gives rise to the phenotypic appearance. The skin defect may be related to an abnormal attachment of dartos muscle during embryogenesis. Correction of this condition requires separation of these abnormal muscular attachments and provision of skin coverage of the penile shaft. It is imperative not to circumcise the patient as this will worsen the skin deficiency. We describe a novel technique for correcting buried penis performed on 12 patients at the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children. A satisfactory cosmetic result was obtained in all patients.     

The Ventral V-plasty: a simple procedure for the reconstruction of a congenital megaprepuce

A buried penis secondary to a megaprepuce is defined clinically by a phimosis, failure of the corporal bodies to inhabit a variably deficient penile shaft skin and a basal hemispheric ballooning of the penis during micturition. Anatomically, it describes a condition in which a normal phallus is trapped within normal prepubic connective tissue by the excessive skin of a megaprepuce and a variable abundance of dartos fascia. Many surgical procedures have been described to correct this deformity, suggesting that no single method has a clear advantage. Most of them rely on relatively complex skin flaps or on the abnormal megapreputial tissue for reconstruction of the deficient ventral shaft skin. Herein, the authors describe an alternative technique for ventral skin coverage, the Ventral V-plasty. This surgical procedure allowed for the favorable reconstruction of 10 consecutive children with a buried penis secondary to a megaprepuce. This technique is distinguished by its simplicity and consistent, pleasing cosmetic results.     

隐匿阴茎的分型及处理原则

目的：提高对隐匿阴茎的认识。选择合适的手术方法。方法：对收治的19例隐匿阴茎。根据不同的病理改变，将其分为索带型。包茎型。肥胖型三型。索带型以纤维索带松解。切除为主，包茎型以解除包皮口狭窄为主。并用“Y-V”成形术弥补阴茎体皮肤不足，肥胖型6程度轻者可予以观察。需要手术者将阴茎皮肤固定于阴茎根部的阴茎体两侧白膜上，并切除耻骨前过多的脂肪组织。结果：术后所有病例阴茎均获得良好显露。结论：对隐含匿阴茎进行分型有助于更深入认识这一疾病，便于6选择合适的手术方法。     

隐匿阴茎的分型与手术治疗(附77例报告)

目的提高对隐匿阴茎的认识,介绍一种手术治疗方法。方法总结1998年3月至2008年3月,诊治77例隐匿阴茎的经验。根据隐匿阴茎的不同病理改变,将其分为包茎型、索带型、小皮套型和肥胖型4种类型。包茎型通过阴茎背侧＂Y-V＂成形弥补阴茎体皮肤不足。索带型以纤维索带松解、切除为主。小皮套型需做背、腹侧＂Y-V＂成形。单纯肥胖型可观察、等待。严重者,将阴茎皮肤固定于阴茎根部的阴茎体两侧白膜上。结果术后所有病例外观均得到改善。结论对隐匿阴茎进行分型,按不同情况进行相应处理,有利于纠正隐匿阴茎。     

经阴茎腹侧阴茎周围组织环形松解、白膜固定包皮整形术治疗小儿埋藏阴茎

目的:探寻治疗小儿埋藏阴茎的简单、有效手术方法。方法:根据埋藏阴茎的临床特点,设计一种新的手术方式即经阴茎腹侧阴茎周围组织环形松解、白膜固定包皮整形术:阴茎根部腹侧"V"形切口,环形松解阴茎浅、深筋膜及异常附着的肉膜肌、纤维索带,阴茎根部左、右侧白膜分别与胸膝位耻骨结节前筋膜的1、11点各缝合固定1针进行手术,共治疗小儿埋藏阴茎38例,术后随访2~6个月。结果:38例出院时阴茎外观形态均满意,阴茎体完全显露。术后随访期间35例(92.1%)阴茎外观形态满意,2例仍有阴茎轻度埋藏,1例出现包皮口瘢痕狭窄。结论:采用经阴茎腹侧阴茎周围组织环形松解、白膜固定包皮整形术治疗小儿埋藏阴茎是一简单、有效的手术方法,具有推广应用价值,但仍需积累更多的病例和更长时间的随访。     

Penile reconstruction with de-epithelized superficial external pudendal artery flap.

Complete loss of skin, Buck's fascia and tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum occurred on both sides of the penile shaft after placement of a penile prosthesis for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. We describe this unusual complication and surgical reconstruction of the penis with a de-epithelized superficial external pudendal artery axial pattern flap (January 1988). A good result was obtained.     

Split-thickness skin graft for the management of concealed penis

PURPOSE: We review the use of split-thickness skin grafting in children with concealed penis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed for all patients younger than 20 years seen at our institution from 1995 to 2003 with a diagnosis of concealed penis. Patients were separated into "primary" and "secondary" groups based on the cause of concealment. Primary factors were prominent prepubic fat pad, dysgenetic dartos fascia or both. Secondary factors were post-circumcision phimosis and overzealous circumcision. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients 1 month to 19 years old were treated. In the primary group of 23 patients 11 underwent lysis of dartos fascia. Four of these 11 patients had insufficient skin, and split-thickness skin grafting was necessary to resurface the penile shaft. Five of the patients underwent excision of the fat pad only, and 2 underwent excision of the fat pad and lysis of fascia. Five patients are being observed. Of the 3 patients in the secondary group 1 underwent manual reduction of post-circumcision phimosis, 1 underwent scrotal flaps and 1 is being observed. Followup ranged from 2 weeks to 46 months (mean 13 months). Of 20 surgically repaired patients 19 (95%) had an excellent cosmetic result, were satisfied with penile length and reported no voiding complaints. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical approach for correcting concealed penis varies, depending on the cause. Of our 26 patients 4 (15%) had insufficient penile skin to resurface the penile shaft. In these select children split-thickness skin grafting provided a good cosmetic appearance and functional result.     

长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术治疗阴茎体型尿道下裂的疗效分析

目的 探讨长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术治疗阴茎体型尿道下裂的疗效. 方法 2007年9月至2010年4月收治阴茎体型尿道下裂患儿28例,年龄1.5 ～6.0岁,平均2.0岁.均行长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术.尿道开口均位于阴茎体部,距离阴茎头顶端16 ～ 37 mm,平均25immn;分离尿道及纠正阴茎下曲后尿道缺损30 ～ 42 mm,平均38 mm.手术要点:沿尿道开口环形切开阴茎皮肤,分离至尿道板,横断尿道板,沿尿道板与海绵体之间分离隧道至阴茎头正中,隧道长度26～38 mm,平均33 mm.尿道开口至阴茎头之间全程由隧道贯通,尽量保持阴茎腹侧皮肤与组织完整,取带蒂包皮内板制作新尿道,将新尿道通过阴茎侧方深筋膜下通道转移至腹侧隧道进行吻合.术中人工勃起试验证实合并轻度阴茎下曲13例,无明显阴茎下曲15例. 结果 28例均一期修复成功,手术时间50～70 min,平均55min.随访时间6～31个月,平均20个月.28例患儿均排尿通畅,尿线粗直.尿道呈矢状开口于阴茎头正中,阴茎下曲纠正满意,外观好,未发生尿瘘或狭窄. 结论 长隧道带蒂包皮内板尿道成形术适用于无或合并轻度阴茎下曲的阴茎体型尿道下裂,尤其适合年龄小或阴茎体细小患儿,手术简单,效果好,外观满意.     

Review and update of the anatomy of the penis

The knowledge of penile anatomy is basic to perform a proper diagnosis and direct the most adequate treatment of the various diseases that may appear: urethral stenosis, erectile dysfunction, congenital or acquired penile curvature, etc.; being its anatomical knowledge essential for a proper surgical management. The penis is the male organ involved in both voiding and sexual functions: the body of the penis is composed by three erectile bodies, (i.e the deep structures): the corpora cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum, this last surrounding and covering the urethra. Buck's fascia is in relation to the deep structures of the penis. The superficial fascia, dartos, is made up from a more areolar tissue and is in relation to skin and vessels. The vascularization of the deep structures comes from the common penile artery, a branch of the internal pudendal artery. Penile blood drains through three venous systems: superficial, intermediate and deep systems. Pudendal nerves are in charge of the sensitive and motor somatic innervations. Cavernosal nerves are a combination of parasympathetic and sympathetic afferent fibers, corresponding to the nerves of the autonomic system of the penis.     

应用阴囊肉膜平滑肌肌皮瓣修复阴茎延长术中的阴茎创面

目的 提供理想的阴茎延长术中阴茎创面的修复组织。方法 在阴茎1阴阜区皮肤交界处切开、切断阴茎浅悬韧带和部分阴茎深悬韧带行阴茎延长术后，应用以阴囊前动、静脉为血管蒂的阴囊膜平滑肌肌皮瓣（下简称阴囊皮瓣）转移修复在阴茎根部所形成的创面。结果 1996年以来共应用于16例患者，阴茎平均延长4－4．5cm，阴囊皮瓣全部成活，阴茎形态满意，阴囊无明显变形。结论 阴囊皮瓣血运丰富，薄而无皮下脂肪，有伸缩性，是阴茎延长手术中阴茎皮肤缺损较好的修复方法之一。     

耻骨前入路阴茎肉膜固定术治疗小儿埋藏式阴茎

目的:观察耻骨前入路阴茎肉膜固定术治疗小儿埋藏式阴茎的效果。方法:2002年8月~2003年12月共采用该术式治疗小儿埋藏式阴茎34例,并进行随访,观察术后效果及复发情况。结果:平均手术时间为45m in,34例患儿术后均获满意疗效。获1年以上随访21例,失访13例。随访病例中未见复发。结论:该术式设计合理、简单、有效,适合于无包皮不足的小儿埋藏式阴茎。     

Hidden penis release: adjunctive suprapubic lipectomy

We believe the hidden penis may be caused and concealed by a prominent suprapubic fat pad in addition to the restrictive fibrous bands of the dartos fascia fixing the shaft of the penis proximally while loose skin folds prolapse distally over the phallus. A penis of inadequate length or appearance may affect body image. Patients with this problem often require psychological support. Hidden penis may be distinguished from micropenis by palpating adequate corpora and showing a stretched penile length within 2 SD of normal. Excision of suprapubic fat with sectioning of the tethering dartos bands will release and increase the length of the penis. Suprapubic fat pad resection may also be helpful to elongate a short penis in cases of adult microphallus, or after partial penectomy because of trauma or cancer. Circumcision is contraindicated.     

阴茎延长同期行脱细胞异体真皮基质补片双平面植入阴茎增粗术

目的探讨阴茎延长同期行脱细胞异体真皮基质（acellular dermal matrix,ADM）补片双平面植入阴茎增粗术的方法与效果。方法采用阴茎根部倒V形切口。离断阴茎浅悬韧带后,沿阴茎纵轴切开Dartos筋膜,在其深面向远端分离。距冠状沟1．5～2．0cm处环形切开Buck筋膜,将补片前部植于Buck筋膜与白膜间,后部植于Dartos筋膜与Buck筋膜间。缝合Dartos筋膜切口,V—Y成形术闭合阴茎根部切口。结果35例术后无1例发生阴茎皮肤坏死、补片外露并发症。25例获随访6～24个月,对阴茎外形均感满意;无1例出现补片移位或皱褶、阴茎头感觉异常;其中21例已婚者均感性生活满意。结论经阴摹根部切口行脱细胞异体真皮基质补片双平面植入阴茎增粗术,通过调整补片植入层次,在确保补片足够的组织覆盖及刚茎皮肤血供情况下,在I期内行延长并增粗阴：拳术,具有并发症少、疗效满意的优点。     

上移阴茎阴囊交界部矫正隐匿型阴茎

目的 介绍矫正隐匿阴茎的一种简便而又有效的新术式。方法 采用阴茎与阴囊交界部弧形切口，切断牵拉阴茎的纤维筋膜，充分伸展阴茎，并将切缘皮下肉膜组织与海绵体脚筋膜固定，使阴茎阴囊交界部上移至正常解剖位置。结果 经10个月以上随访，53例患者均获满意外观，3例婚后性生活正常。5例术后阴茎皮肤水肿在一个月内消退。结论 上移阴茎阴囊交界部的术式，可使阴茎充分外露。     

Buried penis: congenital syndrome of a short penile shaft and a paucity of penile shaft skin

PURPOSE: The term "buried penis" has been applied to a variety of penile abnormalities and includes an apparent buried penis that is obvious at birth. The purpose of this study was to examine prospectively the congenital buried penis and to evaluate an operative technique for its management. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 31 males 2 to 28 months old (mean age 12.3 months) with a congenital buried penis underwent surgical correction of the anomaly. Measurements were made of the penile shaft skin, inner leaf of the prepuce, glans length and stretched penile length. Observations of the subcutaneous tissue of the penis were made. The outer leaf of the prepuce was resected, following which covering of the penile shaft was accomplished with a combination of the penile shaft skin and the inner leaf of the prepuce. RESULTS: Stretched penile lengths ranged from 2.3 to 4.1 cm (mean 3.1). The glans length from the tip of the glans dorsally to the corona ranged from 0.9 to 1.6 cm (mean 1.2). The inner leaf of the prepuce ranged from 0.9 to 2.2 cm (mean 1.5) in length, while the dorsal penile skin lengths were 1 to 1.6 cm (mean 0.8). In all patients complete shaft coverage was accomplished using a combination of varying degrees of penile shaft skin and inner leaf of the prepuce. In no case was there a requirement for either unfurling of the inner and outer leaf of the prepuce or mobilization of scrotal flaps to accomplish shaft coverage. All patients healed well and have done well with a followup of 6 months to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Congenital buried penis is a syndrome consisting of a paucity of penile shaft skin and a short penile shaft. The anomaly may be successfully repaired by carefully preserving a length of inner leaf of the prepuce sufficient to cover, in some instances, the length of the penile shaft. Anchoring of the penile skin to the shaft is not recommended.     

Penile torsion repair using dorsal dartos flap rotation

PURPOSE: Counterclockwise penile torsion is a frequently noted congenital deformity. Previously proposed techniques of torsion repair are ineffective or pose significant operative risks. We introduce a novel technique using dorsal dartos flap rotation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The penis is first degloved completely and a broad based dartos flap is mobilized from the dorsal penile skin. The flap is rotated around the right side of the penile shaft and attached to the ventral aspect, causing clockwise penile rotation. Final slight adjustments are made during skin closure. We applied this technique in 8 patients undergoing circumcision (2), chordee (4) or hypospadias (2) repair. RESULTS: This technique was effective for correcting penile torsion in all patients. At a mean followup of 8.3 months the cosmetic outcome was satisfactory with the complete correction of penile torsion. CONCLUSIONS: Rotational repositioning of a dorsal dartos flap is an effective technique for correcting penile torsion and it is easily applicable with other penile reconstruction procedures.     

The surgical treatment of chordee without hypospadias in men.

During a 2-year period we treated 26 young men for chordee without hypospadias. Many of these patients had straight erections as children but a ventral curvature developed as they achieved puberty. We describe the anatomical findings and discuss the possible cause for the development of this anomaly. Surgical therapy begins with a circumcising incision and reflection of the skin to expose the shaft of the penis. The corpus spongiosum containing the urethra was mobilized by resecting the dysgenetic tissue in the dartos and Buck's fascia layers. In 1 patient this dissection was sufficient to straighten the penis but in the remaining 25 the penis was not straight. In those patients we mobilized the dorsal bundle of vessels and nerves, and removed 1 or several ellipses of tunica albuginea to equalize the lengths of the ventral and dorsal aspects of the corpora cavernosa. The corpus spongiosum usually is elastic and the curve almost never is caused by shortness of the urethra, which stretches to fit the straightened penis. In 24 of the 26 patients the curvature was resolved with 1 operation, while 2 needed a second procedure.     

Surgical correction of buried penis: a review of 60 cases

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The authors reviewed 60 cases of buried penis, treated in a single institution with postoperative follow-up for at least 6 months. The review was aimed at providing information that might help to optimize the results in future surgical correction of this uncommon, but not rare, congenital disorder. METHODS: From January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1998, 62 boys with buried penis were treated with 1 of the following procedures: group 1A (n = 6), preputial unfurling alone; group 1B (n = 8), modified preputial unfurling; group 1C (n = 12), penoplasty devised by the first author with preservation of the preputial skin; and group 2 (n = 36), penoplasty with trimming of the inner preputial skin. Postoperative follow-up of more than 6 months after operation was achieved in 60 of 62 patients for a total of 25 patients in group 1 (A through C) and 35 patients in group 2. RESULTS: Recurrent buried penis developed in 8 of 60 patients (13%), and redundant penile skin with or without lymphedema occurred in 18 (30%). The complications occurred in 18 of 25 patients (72%) in group 1 (A through C) but in only 8 of 35 (23%) in group 2. The difference was significant (P =.001). Most of the complications were mild and acceptable. A second procedure was required in 5 of the 25 patients in group 1 but in none of group 2. The second procedures were required to correct recurrent buried penis in 1 and to resect excess redundant penile skin in 4. CONCLUSION: The superior results achieved in group 2 suggest that in addition to penoplasty with adequate fixation of the unfurling prepuce, resection of excess inner preputial skin is required to achieve an optimal outcome in children requiring surgical correction of buried penis.