Webbed penis: Etiology, symptoms, surgical treatments, and outcomes

Webbed penis may be congenital or acquired in etiology. Treatments are indicated for reasons such as cosmetic concerns and erection pain. This study aims at reviewing the etiology, symptoms, types of surgical correction, and outcomes of webbed penis. We searched Medline/PubMed for “webbed penis” and “inconspicuous penis” from 1956 through 2019. In this study, we discuss the advantages, drawbacks, and outcomes of each surgical method. We also explain the postoperative cosmetic outcomes and complications of the previously proposed surgical methods. Since the isolated congenital webbed penis is uncommon, there is a paucity of large-scale studies for the treatment of webbed penis. A variety of methods are proposed to correct webbed penis, including traditional transverse incision and vertical closure, Z-plasty, V-Y advancement technique, Byars preputial flap method, and other methods. Preoperative design is essential and is based on not only the degree of penoscrotal fusion but also the surgeon's experience and preference of the surgical methods. Some methods call for elaborate skin flaps that may be technically complicated. The immediate outcomes of surgical correction for webbed penis are good. However, studies on long-term cosmetic results and patient satisfaction remain scarce. Hence, surgical correction of the webbed penis generally yields good results. Long-term follow-up of postoperative cosmetic outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the impact of surgery on the psychological development of children are indicated.