Buried Penis Reconstruction after Botched Circumcision: A Multidisciplinary Approach – Case ReportAbstract
Introduction A buried penis is a condition in which a normal-sized penis is obscured by skin, tissue, or fat, reducing its visible and functional length, and causing issues with appearance, hygiene, voiding, and sexual function. The condition, which can be congenital or acquired, is particularly challenging to manage. In adults, obesity is a major factor, though other causes include trauma, infections, and circumcision-related injuries. Surgical intervention is often necessary.
Case presentation We herein present the case of a 79-year-old male patient who developed penis burying following circumcision surgery. The surgical site was marked in the trapezoid suprapubic area for the performance of an escutcheonectomy. The penile shaft was dissected, and a full-thickness skin graft, taken from the excised suprapubic panniculectomy, was secured. A dressing was applied around the penis. By the eighth day, the graft showed good integration, with no infection, and at the one-month checkup, the graft and donor site had healed well, with adequate penile-shaft exposure.
Discussion A buried penis can cause sexual dysfunction, painful erections, hygiene issues, and psychological distress. Contributing factors include trauma, congenital lymphedema, radical circumcision, and obesity. Treatment focuses on restoring function, often requiring collaboration between a plastic surgeon and a urologist. Surgical approaches depend on individual factors, with full-thickness skin grafts preferred for better cosmetic outcomes.
Conclusion Despite the low rates of graft loss, there is no consensus on the best treatment approach, emphasizing the need for further research. Addressing both physical and psychological aspects, exploring less-invasive treatments, and improving surgical techniques are crucial for better patient outcomes.
Keywords
buried penis; penile reconstruction; circumcision complication; escutcheonectomy; case report
Resumo
Introdução O pênis oculto ou embutido é um distúrbio em que um pênis de tamanho normal está coberto por pele, tecido subcutâneo ou gordura, o que reduz o seu comprimento visível e funcional, e compromete a aparência estética, a higiene, a micção e a função sexual. O distúrbio, que pode ser congênito ou adquirido, representa um desafio particular no manejo clínico. Em adultos, a obesidade é o principal fator associado, embora causas como trauma, infecções e lesões relacionadas à circuncisão também estejam implicadas. A maioria dos casos requer intervenção cirúrgica.
Relato de caso Este artigo apresenta o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino, de 79 anos, que desenvolveu pênis oculto após cirurgia de circuncisão. A área cirúrgica foi demarcada na região trapezoidal suprapúbica para a realização de escuteonectomia. O eixo peniano foi dissecado, e um enxerto de pele total, obtido a partir da paniculectomia suprapúbica ressecada, foi fixado. Um curativo foi aplicado em volta do pênis. No oitavo dia de pós-operatório, observou-se boa integração do enxerto, sem sinais de infecção. À avaliação um mês após a cirurgia, o enxerto e o sítio doador estavam bem cicatrizados, com exposição adequada do eixo peniano.
Discussão O pênis oculto pode causar disfunção sexual, ereções dolorosas, dificuldades de higiene e sofrimento psicológico. Entre os fatores predisponentes estão traumas, linfedema congênito, circuncisão radical e obesidade. O tratamento se centra na restauração funcional e frequentemente exige colaboração entre o cirurgião plástico e o urologista. A escolha da abordagem cirúrgica depende de fatores individuais, sendo os enxertos de pele total preferidos, por oferecerem melhores resultados estéticos.
Conclusão Apesar das baixas taxas de perda de enxerto, ainda não há consenso sobre a melhor técnica terapêutica, o que reforça a necessidade de mais estudos. Abordar os aspectos físicos e psicológicos, explorar opções menos invasivas e aperfeiçoar as técnicas cirúrgicas são medidas essenciais para melhorar os desfechos clínicos.
Palavras-chave
pênis oculto; reconstrução peniana; circuncisão, complicação; escuteonectomia; relato de caso
Introduction
A buried penis refers to a normal-sized phallus that is obscured by skin, subcutaneous tissue, and/or fat in the prepubic area. This condition often leads to reduced visible and functional length of the penis, resulting in patient dissatisfaction related to cosmetic appearance, hygiene, voiding, and sexual function. The condition can also lead to phimosis, which may cause spraying, dribbling, urinary soilage, and skin breakdown. Documenting the degree of patient discomfort and their primary concerns is important. Are they focused on cosmetic outcomes or functional issues? Is their goal to void while standing or to resume sexual activity?1
The syndrome of buried penis in men is generally considered an uncommon condition that is challenging to manage. Various external factors may contribute to this condition in adulthood, which is distinct from conditions like penoscrotal webbing or micropenis. Unlike patients with micropenis, those with a buried penis have a normal corporeal length. The etiology of a buried penis can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cases are often linked to genetic alterations of the Dartos fascia and typically affect pediatric populations. In adults, obesity is a significant contributing factor in most cases.2 The acquired causes include local trauma, recurrent infections, periscrotal lymphedema, and obesity.3 Another potential cause in adult and pediatric patients is circumcision-related injury, sometimes referred to as radical circumcision, in which the suture line contracts during healing, forming a cicatrix that traps the penis as it is pushed proximally into the suprapubic fat.2
The incidence of buried penis in adulthood is unknown, and many cases likely go unreported. The literature identifies several specific causes in adults, including abdominoplasty with aggressive release of Dartos fascia attachments to the Scarpa's fascia, penile lengthening procedures using an ill-advised large pubic V-Y advancement flap, or other genitoinguinal surgeries. Thus, iatrogenic factors are a nontrivial cause of this condition in adults.4
Unfortunately, weight loss alone is often insufficient, and definitive treatment typically requires surgical intervention.5 Since 1986, various attempts have been made to classify this condition. Maizels et al.6 proposed a classification system aimed at simplifying treatment, identifying three subgroups: buried penis, webbed or membranous penis, and trapped penis. A buried penis is a normal-sized phallus hidden within pubic tissue due to inadequate skin fixation at the base of the penis. In a webbed or membranous penis, the penoscrotal angle disappears due to an abnormal distal extension of scrotal skin along the ventral side of the penis. A trapped penis usually results from scarring after penile surgery, such as circumcisions performed on hidden penises.6 The primary treatment goal for all these conditions is to reestablish the fixation of penile skin to the Buck's fascia, thereby restoring both the penopubic and penoscrotal angles.7 More recently, Pariser et al.8 proposed a classification system to stratify buried penis repair by complexity, categorizing repairs into the following: I –penile unburying with local skin flap; II –use of a skin graft; III –scrotal surgery; IV –escutcheonectomy; and V –abdominal panniculectomy. Additionally, Mirastschijski9 introduced a classification system for the adult buried penis based on the location of the glans and penile shaft relative to the surrounding soft tissue. Type-1 patients have excess tissue covering the shaft without invagination; type 2 involves partial invagination; and, in type 3, complete invagination occurs, with manual exposure of the glans or shaft being impossible.9
A thorough examination of abdominal and suprapubic fat is crucial in planning the appropriate surgical approach. The patient should be examined while standing to assess the potential impact of a pannus draping over the genitalia. A genital examination is also necessary to evaluate the prepuce for phimosis and balanitis. In cases of buried penis, the phallus is often palpable beneath the skin.2
The incidence of adult buried penis is on the rise, but there is no consensus regarding a single surgical technique.3 Common operative techniques generally involve the following steps: a dorsal slit to expose the glans, degloving of the diseased penile skin, escutcheonectomy with or without panniculectomy, and harvesting and application of a split-thickness skin graft (STSG).5 However, full-thickness skin grafts (FTSGs) for penile shaft tissue have shown excellent results, with improved cosmesis, better wound healing, and minimal complications compared to traditional STSGs. Additionally, using FTSGs can avoid donor-site morbidity.7
While the anterior thigh is a commonly used donor site for STSGs, it carries the risk of donor-site morbidity. An alternative donor site that avoids creating a second defect is the panniculus.10
Case Presentation
We herein present the case of a 79-year-old male patient without any relevant previous medical history who, 7 months prior, had undergone circumcision surgery. Following the procedure, he presented with penis burying and scar formation and retraction of the penis shaft. While the patient reported normal urinary function, his chief concern was restoring sexual function. Before starting the procedure, the surgical site was marked in the trapezoid suprapubic area, with the lower part of the incision positioned 2 cm from the base of the penis, in the midline, to enable the skin to be brought closer to the pubic symphysis (Fig. 1). The patient underwent surgery under general anesthesia followed by an escutcheonectomy. The fascia near the base of the penis was attached to the periosteum of the pubic symphysis using a single nylon 2-0 stitch to enhance penile-shaft exposure.
Preoperative view, showing suprapubic trapezoid marking for escutcheonectomy and scar retraction of the penile shaft after previous circumcision.
The penile shaft was then dissected above the Colles fascia (Fig. 2). An FTSG was taken from the excised suprapubic panniculectomy and was secured with 4-0 catgut sutures, extending from the base of the penis to the healthy skin, with the distal end fixed near the glans (Fig. 3).
Intraoperative sequence, showing penile shaft dissection during escutcheonectomy (left: isolation of the dorsal neurovascular bundle; center: penile traction to assess length and mobility; and right: exposure of the suprapubic region after removal of the adipocutaneous flap).
Immediate postoperative views after escutcheonectomy. (Far left) oblique right view, showing the penile-shaft release and suprapubic contour; (center left) anterior view of the closure; (center right) anterior view, with penile traction to demonstrate length; and (far right) oblique left view of the final contour.
The suprapubic site was closed with simple 2-0 polyglactin 910 stitches, and the overlying skin was sutured with 3-0 nylon. A brown-type dressing was applied around the circumference of the penis, with gauze placed over a layer of petroleum jelly mixed with gentamicin (Fig. 4).
Immediate postoperative results of the escutcheonectomy. (Left) anterior view, showing the suprapubic incision and penile-shaft release before dressing placement; and (right) anterior view after dressing application, demonstrating restored penile projection and contour.
A urinary Foley catheter was left in place until the fifth postoperative day. On the eighth day, the dressing was removed, and the graft showed good integration, with no signs of infection. At the 1-month postoperative checkup, the graft was well-integrated, the donor site had healed, and the penile shaft was adequately exposed (Fig. 5). At the 6-month postoperative follow-up, the suprapubic incision had matured into a fine, inconspicuous scar. The penile shaft remained fully exposed, with stable contour and projection. There were no signs of graft contracture, recurrence of skin redundancy, nor functional impairment (Fig. 6).
Appearance 8 days after the escutcheonectomy. (Left) anterior view, showing a suprapubic incision with adequate penile-shaft exposure; (center) lateral view, highlighting incision integrity and minimal edema; and (right) close-up of the distal penile shaft and glans appearance after dressing removal.
Appearance 6 months after the escutcheonectomy. (Left) oblique left view, showing stable suprapubic contour and maintained penile projection; (center) anterior view, with manual retraction to demonstrate shaft length; and (right) anterior view, showing well-healed incision and scar maturation.
Discussion
The condition of a buried penis is linked to a range of issues, including loss of sexual function, painful erections, poor hygiene, and psychosocial disorders. In adults, several factors can contribute to the development of this condition, such as local trauma, congenital lymphedema, and radical circumcision that leads to scarring and fibrosis. Obesity is a major contributing factor. The primary goal of the treatment is to restore urinary and sexual functions, often requiring the combined expertise of a plastic surgeon and a urologist.1
Adult patients with a buried penis can present with a diverse and complex set of issues, making management strategies challenging. In milder cases, improvements may be achieved through dietary changes, weight loss, and less-invasive surgical procedures such as liposuction. Conversely, more severe cases may involve extensive skin changes leading to conditions such as lichen sclerosus, urethral strictures, scar tissue formation, and lymphedema.5
The surgical options to treat a buried penis are varied and must be tailored to each patient. Factors influencing the surgical approach include history of circumcision, the amount of viable preputial and shaft skin, the underlying cause of the condition, the presence of other comorbidities, and the surgeon's familiarity with different techniques.2 Surgical interventions may involve approaches to the suprapubic tissue and lower abdomen, such as lipectomy, panniculectomy, or abdominoplasty.1
To minimize the need for additional donor-site harvesting and to improve the functional and cosmetic outcomes, the salvage of skin from the resected escutcheon is preferred. Full-thickness skin grafts are generally more cosmetically appealing than STSGs, though they require excellent vascularity for successful graft survival.5 Compared to STSGs, FTSGs experience more immediate contracture due to elastin recoil, but less delayed contracture from myofibroblast activity. The outcomes of penile skin grafting are generally favorable, with partial and complete graft loss occurring in 8% and 3% of the patients respectively.11
The condition of buried penis presents significant challenges for the affected individuals, encompassing both functional and esthetic concerns. The interplay between congenital factors and acquired conditions such as obesity or circumcision-related trauma underscores the complexity of managing this disorder. As illustrated by the case herein reported, surgical intervention remains a cornerstone of effective treatment, with the choice of technique tailored to the patient's specific needs and underlying factors.
Conclusion
Recent improvements in classification systems and surgical methods, including FTSGs, show promise in restoring function and appearance. However, the lack of a consensus on the best surgical approach indicates the need for further research and refinement of treatment methods. Addressing the physical and psychological effects of buried penis can improve patient satisfaction and quality of life. Future research should focus on determining the true prevalence of this condition, exploring less-invasive treatment options, and enhancing surgical techniques to reduce complications and improve long-term outcomes. Collaboration between urologists and plastic surgeons, with a focus on patient-centered care, is crucial to achieve optimal results for those affected by this challenging condition.
Data Availability
Data will be available upon request to the corresponding author.
References
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