Risk factors for surgical complications and short-term outcomes evaluation after novel method of buried penis correction: A single-center experience

Abstract

Buried penis is a condition that causes the penis to appear entrapped in the subcutaneous fatty tissues. Its significant impact on quality of life affects children as well as adults. This study aims to determine the risk factors for short-term surgical complications and assess patient and surgeon satisfaction after buried penis reconstruction using complete degloving and excision of dartos tissue technique without penile anchoring suture. A retrospective review was performed on all buried penis patients who underwent complete degloving and excision of dartos tissue by 3 different pediatric urologists at a single institution from July 2010-July 2020. The observation time point was taken from the last evaluation in the first 1 year postoperatively. Data were collected from questionnaires distributed to patients and surgeons. Patient demographics and perioperative data were extracted. Bivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for short-term surgical complications. Patients' and surgeons' postoperative satisfaction was likewise assessed based on penis size, morphology, and voiding function. One hundred and thirty-three patients of median age 12 (2-35) years with median follow-up of 6 (1-12) months were included. The median penis length were 2 (1-3.5) cm before surgery with 3 (0.5-7) cm postoperative penile length enhancement. The postoperative penis size were reported as "satisfied" or "very satisfied" by 99% of involved surgeons and 92% of patients. The morphology were reported as "satisfied" or "very satisfied" by 99% of involved surgeons and 88% of patients. Voiding function were reported as "satisfied" or "very satisfied" by 100% of involved surgeons and 99% of patients. Prolonged edema (19.5%) was reported as the most frequent complication. Poor skin gliding occurred in 10.5% of patients. Subjective penis pain was reported in 6% of patients. Five (3.8%) patients who reported being unsatisfied with their penis size had postoperative penile length enhancement of 2 (0.5-2.5) cm (p=0.04). Trapped penis, uncorrected penile curvature, and dissatisfaction with the morphology were reported by one patient each. The uncorrected penile curvature has a correlation with the preoperative penile curvature (p=0.02). Buried penis reconstruction using complete dartos excision without penile anchoring suture is regarded safe and effective by both patients and surgeons. Prolonged edema is a reversible complication that can occur during early postoperative follow up (≤3 months) and obesity can be considered as one of the independent predictors for prolonged edema occurrence.