Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap

Objectives. Severe penile inadequacy in adolescents is rare. Phallic reconstruction to treat this devastating condition is a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Phallic reconstruction using the free radial forearm flap (RFF) or the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) has been routine...

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Main Authors: N. Lumen, S. Monstrey, P. Ceulemans, E. van Laecke, P. Hoebeke
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2008-01-01
Series:Advances in Urology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/704343
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author N. Lumen
S. Monstrey
P. Ceulemans
E. van Laecke
P. Hoebeke
author_facet N. Lumen
S. Monstrey
P. Ceulemans
E. van Laecke
P. Hoebeke
author_sort N. Lumen
collection DOAJ
description Objectives. Severe penile inadequacy in adolescents is rare. Phallic reconstruction to treat this devastating condition is a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Phallic reconstruction using the free radial forearm flap (RFF) or the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) has been routinely used in female-to-male transsexuals. Recently we started to use these techniques in the treatment of severe penile inadequacy. Methods. Eleven males (age 15 to 42 years) were treated with a phallic reconstruction. The RFF is our method of choice; the ALTF is an alternative when a free flap is contraindicated or less desired by the patient. The RFF was used in 7 patients, the ALTF in 4 patients. Mean followup was 25 months (range: 4–49 months). Aesthetic and functional results were evaluated. Results. There were no complications related to the flap. Aesthetic results were judged as “good” in 9 patients and “moderate” in 2 patients. Sensitivity in the RFF was superior compared to the ALTF. Four patients developed urinary complications (stricture and/or fistula). Six patients underwent erectile implant surgery. In 2 patients the erectile implant had to be removed due to infection or erosion. Conclusion. In case of severe penile inadequacy due to whatever condition, a phalloplasty is the preferred treatment nowadays. The free radial forearm flap is still the method of choice. The anterolateral thigh flap can be a good alternative, especially when free flaps are contraindicated, but sensitivity is markedly inferior in these flaps.
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spelling doaj-art-00a92e54a1ef4b7694cc47fe5ca4cc462025-08-20T03:22:31ZengWileyAdvances in Urology1687-63691687-63772008-01-01200810.1155/2008/704343704343Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh FlapN. Lumen0S. Monstrey1P. Ceulemans2E. van Laecke3P. Hoebeke4Department of Paediatric Urology and Urogenital Reconstruction, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Paediatric Urology and Urogenital Reconstruction, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumDepartment of Paediatric Urology and Urogenital Reconstruction, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185, B-9000 Gent, BelgiumObjectives. Severe penile inadequacy in adolescents is rare. Phallic reconstruction to treat this devastating condition is a major challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. Phallic reconstruction using the free radial forearm flap (RFF) or the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) has been routinely used in female-to-male transsexuals. Recently we started to use these techniques in the treatment of severe penile inadequacy. Methods. Eleven males (age 15 to 42 years) were treated with a phallic reconstruction. The RFF is our method of choice; the ALTF is an alternative when a free flap is contraindicated or less desired by the patient. The RFF was used in 7 patients, the ALTF in 4 patients. Mean followup was 25 months (range: 4–49 months). Aesthetic and functional results were evaluated. Results. There were no complications related to the flap. Aesthetic results were judged as “good” in 9 patients and “moderate” in 2 patients. Sensitivity in the RFF was superior compared to the ALTF. Four patients developed urinary complications (stricture and/or fistula). Six patients underwent erectile implant surgery. In 2 patients the erectile implant had to be removed due to infection or erosion. Conclusion. In case of severe penile inadequacy due to whatever condition, a phalloplasty is the preferred treatment nowadays. The free radial forearm flap is still the method of choice. The anterolateral thigh flap can be a good alternative, especially when free flaps are contraindicated, but sensitivity is markedly inferior in these flaps.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/704343
spellingShingle N. Lumen
S. Monstrey
P. Ceulemans
E. van Laecke
P. Hoebeke
Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
Advances in Urology
title Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
title_full Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
title_fullStr Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
title_full_unstemmed Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
title_short Reconstructive Surgery for Severe Penile Inadequacy: Phalloplasty with a Free Radial Forearm Flap or a Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap
title_sort reconstructive surgery for severe penile inadequacy phalloplasty with a free radial forearm flap or a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2008/704343
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