Long-Term Followup of Dermal Grafts for Repair of Severe Penile Curvature

Abstract

There is some reluctance to use dermal grafts for augmenting the tunica albuginea to correct severe forms of chordee. The main concern is that by violating the integrity of the tunica albuginea venous leakage could presumably ensue and result in erectile dysfunction. We present our long-term followup of dermal grafts used to correct severe penile curvature associated with hypospadias or as an isolated malformation. A total of 16 patients received a single dermal graft harvested from the nonhair bearing inguinal skin fold. Patient age was 1 to 19 years (average 7). Of the patients 14 had hypospadias, which was scrotal in 12 and perineal in 2, while 2 had congenital penile curvature. In the hypospadias group 13 patients underwent primary repair and 1 had undergone 2 previously failed repairs with persistent severe curvature. Additionally, 5 patients in the hypospadias group had associated penoscrotal transposition. Eight patients in the hypospadias group received testosterone injections preoperatively. Average followup was 10 years (range 6 to 15). At the time of the study all patients were postpubertal and 3 had married. Evaluation of the results was based on patient interview reporting of penile straightness, erectile quality and satisfaction with sexual relations, if present. Two of the 3 patients who married reported satisfactory sexual activity and 1 had fathered children. The other 13 patients reported rigid erections. Two patients had mild residual curvature that would not necessitate any further intervention. Some boys with severe penile curvature, particularly those with hypospadias and a borderline size phallus, need a dermal graft rather than a plication procedure to correct curvature. Our study suggests that using dermal grafts is safe for erectile function.