Experience of treatment in patients with penile defect after necrosis caused by shortwave diathermy

Objective To explore the strategy of repairing penile defect after necrosis caused by shortwave diathermy.Methods Between January 2004 and June 2012,18 cases with penile defect after necrosis caused by shortwave diathermy were admitted in our hospital.The age of those patients ranged from 18 to 55 years old (mean 34 years old).Among them,15 cases have been married.All patients have the history of penile shortwave diathermy therapy after surgery.After debridement,penile complete defect was found in 6 cases,incomplete defect was found in 10 cases and corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum partly defect was found in 2 cases.Under general anesthesia,we applied penis extent in 10 cases with incomplete defect,forearm free flap in 2 cases with penile complete defect,abdominal artery perforators flap in other 4 cases with penile complete defect.In 2 cases with corpus cavernosum and corpus spongiosum partly defect,the scrotal septal skin flap and fascia pedicle flap was used for 1-stage urethral reconstruction and costicartilage was implanted for 2-stage cavernosum reconstruction.Results 18 patients were followed up for 0.5-10.0 years (mean 2.3 years).16 cases with penile complete defect or incomplete defect had normal length after operation,ranged from 6.3 to 9.2cm.During erectile phase,the length of their penis ranged from 8.7 to 11.5 cm.No feeling abnormality or erectile dysfunction was complained.All patients exhibited the excellent morphology and felling of penis with minor scar in donor site.Early (half a month) complications included distant flap necrosis in 1 case and disruption of the wound in 1 case,which were cured after debridement and conventional treatment.After one year,we did not see the flap atrophy.One case had tumid which influenced penile beautiful and sexual intercourse.It was improved by local liposuction.One month after surgery,two patients with corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum partial defect had normal voiding.No feeling and erectile dysfunction were complained during the following-up.Conclusions According to the characteristics of the penile defect due to the shortwave diathermy,selecting the optimal skin flap and individual repair strategy are the keys to successful treatment. Key words: Shortwave diathermy ;  Penis ;  Defect ;  Repair