Combined Treatment of Tunnelled Composite Anterior-Lateral Inguinal Skin Flap, Buccal Mucosal Graft and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Catastrophically Lost Penis after Circumcision.

Abstract

Background: Catastrophic loss of the penis following post-circumcision necrosis is a rare and devastating complication. Treatment options are limited, and the process is highly challenging. This study aims to report the successful application of our combined treatment approach for a 6-year-old patient who experienced total penile loss due to progressive necrosis 1 year after circumcision.

Methods & results: Following penile degloving, proximal penile mobilisation and separation and reshaping of the corpora were performed. The penile shaft was covered with a tunnelled composite anterior-lateral inguinal skin flap. Glanuloplasty was performed using a left buccal mucosal graft, followed by 10 sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy. At 1.5 months postoperatively, urethral dilation was performed once because of minor voiding difficulties. At 10 months postoperatively, the patient had excellent voiding function and no additional complaints. The patient expressed high satisfaction with the outcome and is still under close follow up.

Conclusions: A standard treatment for serious complications such as necrosis and total penile loss has not been established yet. Although scrotal skin flap is a straightforward technique, it was not preferred in our case because of fibrosis following scrotal necrosis and potential risk of hair growth. The developed approach could be an effective alternative to other techniques.