Contact high-tension electrical burn to the penis: Reconstruction of the defect with free radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap and silicon rod, a case report

Abstract

Electrical burns are the second most common cause of burns. Despite the most recent developments in the treatment of high-tension electrical injuries, this type of injury which involves the urogenital system continues to present high morbidity rates. High-tension electrical burns to the penis are not common and in surgical treatment, adequate debridement followed by early reconstruction using local flaps and/or free flaps is recommended. The aims of penile reconstruction are to enable urination and sexual function and to reconstruct an aesthetically acceptable penis [1,2]. Multistage techniques in which tubed pedicle reconstruction from abdominal wall or thigh region and transposition flaps, have evolved to one stage procedures like local or free flaps because of the high number of surgical procedures involved, dissatisfaction with the length of time, and poor functional and aesthetic results [3,4]. In this paper, we report a rare case of contact high-tension electrical injury to the penis which resulted in penis amputation and an analysis of possible surgical treatment procedures to find the most appropriate method. It was deemed that the free radial forearm flap would be the best course of action in this case.