Correction of completely buried penis using the modified preputial island pedicle flap method.

The buried penis is a rare congenital abnormality caused by a deficiency of penile shaft skin and abnormal attachments of the dartos fascia to Buck's fascia. The basis for surgical correction is directed at freeing the penile shaft from abnormal dartos attachments, refixing dartos fascia to Buck's fascia to prevent retraction of the penis, and providing adequate shaft skin coverage with the inner preputial skin. The authors report a modified preputial island pedicle flap method for correcting the completely buried penis performed on 2 patients (ages 9 months and 1 year) at Nagoya City University Medical School.     

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.     

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。     

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.     

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。     

One-Stage Anterior Urethroplasty

Purpose

A deficient urethral segment was replaced with penile skin during a 1-stage procedure in patients with a long, tight urethral stricture, multiple attempts at hypospadias repair or severe hypospadias and circumcision.

Materials and Methods

In 29 patients a pedicled circumferential strip of distal penile skin was used to construct a neourethral floor. The roof was formed by regeneration of the epithelium from the edges of the floor over Buck's fascia. In our series the urethra was reconstructed because of an anterior urethral stricture in 11 patients, multiple failed hypospadias repairs in 6 and severe hypospadias with circumcision in 12.

Results

A neourethra of sufficient caliber and length was constructed with minimal postoperative complications in all patients. There were 2 cases of urethrocutaneous fistula at the subcoronal region, 1 meatal stenosis, 1 persistent chordee and 1 small distal penile skin patch slough that required only prolonged dressings. Mean followup was 19 months.

Conclusion

Our urethroplasty technique can be used to correct various types of anterior urethral stricture or hypospadias associated with insufficient penile or preputial skin.     

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。     

The Dartos Flap as an Adjunct in Preventing Urethrocutaneous Fistulas in Repeat Hypospadias Surgery

Purpose

Vascularized flaps for repeat hypospadias repair are often limited. We report our experience with the dartos flap in children undergoing secondary hypospadias and complex urethral repair.

Materials and Methods

The dartos flap is fibroadipose tissue between the scrotal skin and tunica vaginalis layers with its vascular pedicle based at the penoscrotal angle. The flap reaches the distal penile shaft without tension. Eight patients 1 to 17 years old (mean age 6) underwent urethral surgery and an interposed dartos flap procedure in 1994 to 1995.

Results

Of 6 patients cosmesis was excellent in 84 percent, erections were straight in 100 percent, and urinary streams were of good quality and without fistula in 100 percent after repeat hypospadias surgery. Following staged repair for anterior urethral valves a urethrocutaneous fistula developed in 1 patient and following urethral duplication repair results were excellent in 1. Mean followup was 1 year.

Conclusions

The dartos flap is easy to mobilize and it provides excellent coverage for repeat proximal hypospadias surgery, since the dartos remains undisturbed. We endorse its use for complex urethral surgery and believe that the extra layer of closure helps to prevent urethrocutaneous fistulas.     

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.     

Surgical correction of buried penis after traffic accident – a case report

Background

Buried penis, most commonly seen in children, is particularly debilitating in adults, resulting in inability to void while standing and it also affects vaginal penetration. We report a case of buried penis due to a traffic accident, which caused dislocation of the fractured pubic bone that shifted inside and pulled the penis by its suspensory ligament.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of hidden penis while in the sitting position. He had suffered a pelvic fracture in a traffic accident four years previously, and his penis was covered with suprapubic fat when he was in a sitting position. He was unable to have sexual intercourse. We performed a penile lengthening procedure, including inverse V-Y-plasty of the dorsal skin of the penile root, suspensory desmotomy and fat removal, under general anesthesia. There was a good cosmetic result with satisfactory penile erection, which allowed successful sexual intercourse after surgery.

Conculsion

We performed penile elongation surgery with inverse V-Y-plasty of the dorsal skin of the penile root, suspensory desmotomy, and fat removal. Surgical treatment of buried penis achieves marked aesthetic and functional improvement, and benefits the majority of patients, resulting in satisfactory erection and successful sexual intercourse.     

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.     

Penile Sensitivity in Patients with Primary Premature Ejaculation

Purpose

We investigated penile sensory levels in patients with primary premature ejaculation to determine whether there is an etiological basis for this condition.

Materials and Methods

Penile biothesiometry was performed in 120 patients with primary premature ejaculation without erectile dysfunction and neurological deficit, and in 66 normal potent male volunteers. Vibratory thresholds were recorded at the glans penis, penile shaft, scrotum and index finger using a biothesiometer.

Results

On the glans penis and penile shaft the values in patients with premature ejaculation were significantly less than those in normal potent men (p less than 0.001). In normal potent men an age dependency of biothesiometric parameters was noted, with a significant increase in vibratory threshold at the glans penis and penile shaft in older patients. However, in patients with premature ejaculation there were consistently decreased values without age dependency at the glans penis and penile shaft (p greater than 0.05).

Conclusions

Patients with primary premature ejaculation have penile hypersensitivity, which provides further implications for an organic basis of premature ejaculation.     

Surgical Management of Adult Acquired Buried Penis

Purpose of Review

Adult acquired buried penis is a morbid condition characterized by complete entrapment of the phallus as a result of morbid obesity, post-surgical cicatrix formation, or primary genital lymphedema. Hygienic voiding is not possible and urinary dribbling is frequent with accompanying inflammation, skin breakdown, and infection from the chronic moisture. The end result is penile skin fibrosis resulting in permanent functional loss. Herein, we describe the etiology of adult acquired buried penis, advances in its surgical management, and quality of life outcomes with treatment.

Recent Findings

Adult acquired buried penis is increasing in incidence as morbid obesity becomes more prevalent. Frequently comorbid conditions affect treatment including those affecting wound healing such a diabetes mellitus. Functional and cosmetic surgical outcomes are being published in greater volume in recent years leading to more refined treatment algorithms. Patient quality of life is greatly improved by definitive surgical management.

Summary

Adult acquired buried penis is a morbid condition that is increasing in incidence as obesity becomes more commonplace. Surgical management often necessitates surgical lipectomy of the suprapubic fat pad, scrotoplasty, and penile split thickness skin graft. Substantial quality of life improvements have been consistently reported after surgical treatment.

     

Penile torsion repair by suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum

Purpose

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new technique to repair penile torsion in children.

Methods

Eighteen boys with penile torsion were evaluated in our department from 1989 to 2003. Eleven had associated hypospadias, 4 had chordee without hypospadias, and 3 had torsion only. The direction of rotation was counterclockwise in 16 cases and clockwise in 2 cases. Torsion was repaired in 6 patients by degloving the penis and reattaching the dartos and the skin (comparative group). In 11 patients (1 with prior repair), the torsion was corrected by suturing the lateral edge of the corpus cavernosum to the pubic periosteum (study group). Two patients were not treated.

Result

Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 7 years. All of the 11 cases in the study group had satisfactory correction of the penile torsion. All of the urethroplasties for hypospadias were successful. In the comparative group, none of 6 patients had satisfactory correction of the rotation.

Conclusion

The technique of degloving the penis and reattaching the skin cannot reliably correct penile torsion in our experience. Lateral suturing of tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum to repair penile torsion appears to be a better 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.     

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.     

RECONSTRUCTION OF DEFORMITIES RESULTING FROM PENILE ENLARGEMENT SURGERY

Purpose

More than 30 patients presented for reconstruction of penile deformities secondary to penile enlargement surgery performed by other physicians. Lengthening was performed by releasing the suspensory ligament of the penis and advancing pubic skin with a V-Y advancement flap. Girth was increased by injecting autologous fat. Specific complaints relating to the lengthening procedure involve hypertrophic and/or wide scars, a proximal penile hump from a thick, hair-bearing V-Y flap, and a low hanging penis. Complications relating to autologous fat injections include disappearance of fat, penile lumps and nodules, and shaft deformities. The repair of these deformities is described.

Materials and Methods

From 1994 through October 1996, 19 men underwent 24 various combinations of reconstructive operations, such as scar revisions, V-Y advancement flap reversal, and removal of fat nodules and asymmetrical fat deposits.

Results

Penile appearance and function were improved. Complications include 1 hematoma requiring drainage, minor wound complications and 1 inadequately reversed V-Y flap.

Conclusions

The methods of various repairs are discussed, including reconstructive limitations, timing and staging. Significant improvement can be achieved with proper reconstruction of penile deformities.     

Electrosurgery for Routine Pediatric Penile Procedures

Purpose

Traditional teaching in urology has been to avoid electrosurgical devices in penile surgical procedures. In the last several years cutting current has been routinely used on the penis for making skin incisions, degloving, creating Byars flaps and destroying skin bridges. The purpose of this study was to determine the complications and final outcomes of electrosurgery.

Materials and Methods

A 5-year retrospective chart review was done to determine the complications and final outcomes of exclusively using electrical current to perform pediatric penile procedures.

Results

Electrosurgery was used to perform the entire surgical dissection in 346 patients, including circumcision in 124, repeat circumcision in 68, penoscrotal fusion/chordee repair in 127 and skin bridge procedures in 27. All patients had a satisfactory cosmetic result. After correction of penoscrotal fusion, separation at the scrotal suture line in 2 patients healed secondarily without sequelae. There was no hematoma, tissue necrosis or skin sloughing and all surgery was performed on an outpatient basis.

Conclusions

Electrosurgery can be used safely and effectively for routine penile procedures, providing a bloodless operative field and excellent cosmetic results.