Penile torsion repair using dorsal dartos flap rotation

Severe penile torsion of 180 degrees in an adult patient: a uro-radiological case report

Penile torsion is the abnormal three-dimensional twisting of penile corporal bodies. It can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the degree of torsion. Severe penile torsion (>90°) is a very rare condition, with an estimated incidence of 0.4%-1% among all penile torsion cases. Our patient was a 37-year-old man complaining of a 2-year history of lower urinary tract symptoms. These symptoms appeared after the patient sustained an iatrogenic injury during Foley catheter insertion. Physical examination incidentally revealed an obvious counterclockwise penile rotation of 180°. Several theories have been proposed to explain the etiology of penile torsion, including theories based on genetic factors, abnormal urethral development, and abnormal attachment of the dartos fascia to the skin. Penile torsion may be associated with other penile anomalies, including chordee, hypospadias, and epispadias; however, it is often detected as an isolated finding. Clinical examination is sufficient to confirm its diagnosis without the need for further imaging. While no standardized procedure has been indicated for all penile torsion cases, the severity of torsion and the presence of other anomalies determine the most suitable procedure. No reports on the imaging features of penile torsion (irrespective of the degree of torsion) are available. We present the first such report on the imaging features, including advanced magnetic resonance imaging findings, of a 180° penile torsion in an adult patient.

Penile Degloving and Dorsal Dartos Flap Rotation Surgery in the Management of Severe Isolated Penile Torsion in a 6-Year-Old Boy

Penile torsion is a rare congenital anomaly that is usually characterized by a counterclockwise rotation of the penile shaft or glans. Although several surgical techniques for its correction have been proposed, the consensus of choosing the most efficient technique remains controversial. Herein, we report our operational approach that successfully corrected a severe (>90 degrees) isolated penile torsion in the form of penile degloving and dorsal dartos flap rotation surgery.

180° congenital penile torsion with distal hypospadias mistaken for an epispadias: Optimal outcome with tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation

INTRODUCTION

Severe penile torsion of 180° associated with hypospadias is a rare entity. Knowledge of penile anatomy and pathology are necessary as the diagnosis could be missed.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report a case of severe 180° penile torsion with distal hypospadias that was mistaken for an epispadias which was corrected with surgery.

CONCLUSION

Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty and dartos flap rotation provided satisfactory result for this association.

Procedures used for correction of isolated penile torsion: are they competitive or complementary?

OBJECTIVES

To report our experience in starting the correction of penile torsion, whatever its degree (moderate or severe) with one or more simple procedures either separately or complementary in the same session.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2013 and 2018, 62 patients who have significant isolated penile torsion (> 45°) were involved in this study. Those patients were subjected to either simple degloving with skin reposition, degloving with skin overcorrection and/or dartos flap procedures. Those procedures were performed either separately or complementarily. All patients were examined postoperatively after 7 days and followed up at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

37 out of 62 patients had a moderate degree (45-90) of penile torsion; 21 of them were corrected using skin degloving-reattachment technique, 11 patients were corrected by degloving with skin overcorrection, and in the remaining 4 patients dartos flap technique was used for correction. In 25/62 patients who had severe degree (> 90°) of torsion; 9 patients were managed by degloving with skin overcorrection, while in 13 patients the procedure was shifted to dartos flap technique, and the remaining 3 patients, 2 of whom had 180° torsion, were managed by dartos flap with added skin overcorrection.

CONCLUSION

Performing degloving and skin reattachment with or without skin overcorrection procedure and dartos flap procedure either separately or complementarily in the same patient whatever the degree of torsion (moderate or severe) is associated with good results and can protect some patients from exposure to more difficult and extensive procedures as corporopexy and corporeal plication.

The incidence of isolated penile torsion in North India: A study of 5,018 male neonates

OBJECTIVE

Congenital penile torsion is a three-dimensional deformity with helical rotation of the distal corporal bodies with the penile crurae remaining fixed to the pubic rami. The first case of congenital penile torsion (hypospadias) was described in 1857. Isolated penile torsion is an under-reported anomaly. The reported incidence of isolated penile torsion is 1.7-27% and severe torsion is 0.7%. There are no studies available from Indian subcontinent on the incidence of isolated penile torque. The objective of this study was to determine the overall incidence of isolated penile torque in a north Indian population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A prospective study of deliveries of male children was conducted at our institute between April 2014 and June 2015. Penile torsion was measured using a small protractor either by the deviation of the median raphae or the direction of the meatus. Data were collected on the incidence of congenital isolated penile torsion, including the degree and direction (left or right) of torsion. Torsion was classified as mild (<450), moderate (450-900), and severe (>900). Statistical analysis was done using the chi-square test with variables of age and parity of the mother and weight of the child.

RESULTS

There were 99 cases of isolated penile torque among 5018 male neonates assessed for penile torque. The incidence of isolated penile torque was 19.7 per 1000 births. The degree of torsion varied from 30 to 110° (average 51.46°). Seventy-nine percent (79%) of them had left side and 21% had right side torque (4:1). The degree of torsion was mild in 30%, with 20% having left side torque and 10% having right side torque (2:1). A moderate degree of torsion was seen in 69%: 84% of them had left torque and only 16% had right sided torque (5:1). Only one patient had severe left torque. The incidence of isolated congenital penile torsion was highest in the maternal age group of >30 years followed by the 26-30-year age group, and was lowest in 21-25 year age group. In multiparous women, the incidence of isolated congenital penile torsion was highest (2.54%), and it was lowest in primiparous women (1.36%).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of isolated penile torsion was 1.97% and the left-to-right ratio was 3:1, but for moderate torque it was 5:1. There was a strong association between incidence of penile torque with the age of the mother (p = 0.012) and parity (p = 0.008) but not with the weight of the baby (p = 0.415).

The Fisher Technique for Correction of Penile Torsion in Children: Who Are the Candidates?

OBJECTIVE

To report our experience in the treatment of penile torsion with a special reference to the Fisher technique.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed 30 cases of congenital penile torsion treated from 2009 to 2015 in a single center. Sixteen patients presented a moderate rotation of 45°-90° and 14 had a severe rotation with an angle greater than 90°. Chordee was present in 17 cases and distal glanular hypospadias in 15 cases. Median age at surgery was 10 months. In 14 cases, degloving along with skin realignment, alone, allowed correction of the torsion. In 16 cases, the Dartos flap (Fisher technique) was used.

RESULTS

Out of the 30 patients, 29 had a good result, with a complete correction of the torsion. Only 1 patient had a residual torsion of 30°. Complications were minor and consisted of skin excess in 11 patients; 1 single case needed to be reoperated for that skin complication. The need for the Dartos flap procedure was significantly correlated to the degree of torsion (P = .001): it was used in 4 out of 16 patients (25%) with a torsion of less than 90°, and in 12 out of 14 patients (86%) with a torsion of 90° or more.

CONCLUSION

Most of penile rotations less than 90° can be corrected by skin degloving and realignment. The Fisher technique is a simple and safe procedure for correction of persistent rotation after skin degloving; such cases have usually a penile rotation greater than 90°.

Penile degloving and dorsal dartos flap rotation approach for the management of isolated penile torsion

OBJECTIVE

Penile torsion is a counterclockwise rotational anomaly of the penile shaft or glans. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of penile degloving and dorsal dartos flap rotation used for the repair of isolated penil torsion.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

During evaluation of the patients admitted to our polyclinic for circumcision between January 2013-December 2014, 5 cases of isolated penile torsion were determined. Following the circumcision procedure performed with bipolar cautery, patients undergoing penile degloving were checked whether penile torsion was relieved or not. In case of insufficient improvement, torsion was corrected with application of dorsal dartos flap. Penile torsion was corrected with dartos flap in 2, and penile degloving in 3 cases.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 5.6 years (4-7), and the mean operative time 12 minutes (7-20), respectively. The mean operation time was 17.5 (15-20) minutes and 8.3 (7-10) minutes in the dorsal dartos flap and penile degloving groups, respectively. The preoperative mean degree of penile torsion was 50° (30°-70°). The mean degree of torsion was 65° and 40° in the dorsal dartos and penile degloving groups, respectively. During the postoperative follow up, 1 case of residual torsion (<10°) was observed in the dorsal dartos flap group. Residual torsion was not observed in other patients.

CONCLUSION

Exploration for isolated cases of penile torsion during the circumcision procedure should not be overlooked. Successful results can be obtained with penile degloving and dartos flap rotation in cases with low and moderate torsion.

Isolated penile torsion in newborns

INTRODUCTION

We reported on the incidence of isolated penile torsion among our healthy children and our approach to this anomaly.

METHODS

Between 2011 and 2014, newborn babies with penile torsion were classified according to the angle of torsion. Surgical correction (penile degloving and reattachment for moderate cases and dorsal dartos flap technique in case of resistance) after 6 months was advised to the babies with rotations more than 45°.

RESULTS

Among 1000 newborn babies, 200 isolated penile torsions were found, and among these, 43 had torsions more than 45°, and 4 of these had angles greater than 90°. The mean angle of the rotations was found 30.45° (median: 20°). In total, 8 children with 60° torsions were previously circumcised. Surgery was performed on 19 patients, with a mean patient age of 12 ± 2 months. Of these 19, 13 babies were corrected with degloving and reattachment. This technique was not enough on the remaining 6 patients; therefore, derotational dorsal dartos flap was added to correct the torsion. After a mean of 15.6 ± 9.8 months, residual penile rotation, less than 15°, was found only in 2 children.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of isolated penile torsion is 20% in newborns. However, rotation more than 45° angles are seen in 4.3% of male babies. Correction is not necessary in mild degrees, and penile degloving with reattachment is enough in most cases. If the initial correction is insufficient, dorsal dartos flap rotation is easy and effective. Prior circumcision neither disturbs the operative procedure nor affects the outcomes.

Benign penile skin anomalies in children: a primer for pediatricians

BACKGROUND

Abnormalities involving the skin coverage of the penis are difficult to define, but they can significantly alter penile appearance, and be a cause of parental concern.

DATA SOURCES

The present review was based on a nonsystematic search of the English language medical literature using a combination of key words including "penile skin anomalies" and the specific names of the different conditions.

RESULTS

Conditions were addressed in the following order, those mainly affecting the prepuce (phimosis, balanitis xerotica obliterans, balanitis, paraphimosis), those which alter penile configuration (inconspicuous penis and penile torsion), and lastly focal lesions (cysts, nevi and vascular lesions). Most of these anomalies are congenital, have no or minimal influence on urinary function, and can be detected on clinical examination. Spontaneous improvement is possible. In the majority of cases undergoing surgery, the potential psychological implications of genital malformation on patient development are the main reason for treatment, and the age generally recommended for surgery is after 12 months of age.

CONCLUSION

This review provides the pediatrician with a handy tool to identify the most common penile skin anomalies, counsel parents adequately, make sensible and evidence based choices for management, and recognize complications or untoward outcomes in patients undergoing surgery.

Penile torsion repair in children following a ladder step: simpler steps are usually sufficient

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the correction of different degrees of penile torsion following a ladder step so that simpler steps are used whenever possible. This can avoid the morbidity and complications of complex procedures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Cases of congenital and acquired penile torsion were repaired on a ladder step basis irrespective of the degree of torsion, starting with degloving and skin realignment, then a dorsal dartos flap and finally corporopexy. The torsion is checked with artificial erection after each step, and if corrected completely then the next step(s) is omitted.

RESULTS

Twenty-five cases of penile torsion (30-180°) were repaired over a 4-year period. Three cases were corrected by degloving only, 12 by degloving and skin realignment, five by a dartos flap and four required a corporopexy. Postoperative complications included five cases of penile edema, one case of hematoma and one case of dorsal skin gangrene. Residual torsion of <15° occurred in three cases. No cases required redo surgery.

CONCLUSION

A ladder step approach is a good option for penile torsion repair, starting with simpler techniques until complete correction is achieved. There is no need to plan a complex procedure in advance.

Correction of penile torsion and chordee by mobilization of urethra with spongiosum in chordee without hypospadias

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility of correcting coexistent penile torsion and chordee without hypospadias by mobilization of the urethra and spongiosum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of nine patients with simultaneous penile torsion and chordee without hypospadias was undertaken between January 2006 and December 2012. During this period, a total of 364 cases of hypospadias and 38 of chordee without hypospadias were operated on, making a total of 402 patients with hypospadias-related complexes. The same steps were used for correction of both torque and chordee. After a circumcoronal incision, the penis was fully degloved and the spongiosum with urethra was lifted up off the cavernosa. Next, mobilization of the hypoplastic urethra with spongiosum was extended into the glans. If chordee or torque persisted, urethral mobilization was performed proximally up to the bulbar urethra, as required. Spongioplasty and glansplasty were done and a per-urethral stent was kept in for three to five days.

RESULTS

The age of the patients ranged from 5 to 16 years (median 6 years). Penile torsion ranged from 30° to 120°, with a median of 75°. Ventral chordee ranged from 45° to 100°, with a median of 50°. A ratio of 1:9.6 was found for chordee without hypospadias compared to the total hypospadias cases, with an incidence of 9.5%. The ratio of chordee without hypospadias with torsion compared to the total hypospadias cases was 1:29. There was an incidence of chordee without hypospadias with penile torsion of 3.5% in all patients with hypospadias. The ratio of chordee without hypospadias with torsion to only chordee without hypospadias was 1:1.71, with an incidence of 37.0%. Every step contributed to the correction of curvature and torsion. Chordee was corrected in two patients by penile degloving and lifting of the spongiosa off the urethral plate; three patients required additional mobilization of the urethra into the glans. Another two patients needed proximal urethral mobilization and one required a dorsal plication. In five patients, torque was corrected by penile degloving, lifting of the spongiosa and mobilization of the urethra into the glans; four patients required further proximal urethral mobilization. All patients had excellent functional and cosmetic results. No residual chordee or torque was observed in any patient on follow-up at 12-24 months.

CONCLUSION

The technique of distally mobilizing a hypoplastic urethra with spongiosum from the corpora into the glans, and proximally up to the bulbar region corrects moderate to severe chordee and torsion with excellent cosmetic results. The incidence of torsion with chordee without hypospadias was 3.5% of all cases of hypospadias.

Distal extension of the midline urethral-plate incision in the Snodgrass hypospadias repair: An objective assessment of the functional and cosmetic outcomes

Objectives

To objectively assess the functional and cosmetic outcomes of a modified tubularised incised-plate (TIP) urethroplasty (Snodgrass) technique, with particular attention to the uroflowmetry study and Hypospadias Objective Scoring Evaluation (HOSE) score.

Patients and methods

In a prospective case-series study, 43 consecutive patients with primary distal hypospadias were evaluated. The modified Snodgrass technique included an extension of the midline relaxing incision of the urethral plate from within the hypospadiac meatus to the very tip of the glans. The neourethra was tubularised starting at the neomeatus and proceeding proximally. The neourethra was covered with either a single or double dartos flap. In toilet-trained boys, at least 3 months after surgery, the flow pattern, maximum (Q_max), and mean urinary flow rate (Q_ave) were recorded, and the results plotted against a recently published flow-rate nomogram from normal children. The postvoid residual urine volume was measured using ultrasonography. The cosmetic outcome was assessed using the HOSE system.

Results

The native meatus was coronal in 11 (26%), subcoronal in 23 (53%) and distal penile in nine (21%) of the patients. The median (range) age was 4.2 (0.5–14) years. The neourethra was covered by a single dorsal dartos flap in 25 and a double dartos flap in 18 patients. At a median (range) follow-up of 6 (3–24) months, the uroflowmetry findings in 26 uncomplicated toilet-trained boys with a median (range) age of 5.2 (3.3–14) years showed an abnormal Q_max below the fifth percentile in four (15%), with the Q_ave above the fifth percentile in all. The flow pattern was bell-shaped in nine boys (35%), interrupted/intermittent in five (19%), slightly flattened in 10 (39%) and a plateau in two (8%). A vertical slit-like meatus located at the distal glans was created in 39 (91%) boys, and at the proximal glans in four (9%). The urinary stream was single and straight in 39 and angled in four patients. A straight erection was observed in 42 (98%) boys. Four patients had preoperative mild penile torsion of <45°, that was corrected by surgery. The mean (SD, range) HOSE score was 15.8 (0.6, 13–16). Two patients had a small, single subcoronal fistula.

Conclusion

Extending the midline urethral plate-incision in the modified Snodgrass repair to the apical part of the glans can be done safely with a high rate of locating the neomeatus at the glans tip, with no resultant meatal stenosis. The functional and cosmetic results of the procedure are good, but long-term data and comparative studies are required to confirm these results.

Dorsal dartos flap rotation versus suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum for correction of penile torsion: a prospective randomized study

PURPOSE

To compare the results of dorsal dartos flap rotation versus suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum for correction of congenital penile torsion.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventeen patients with congenital penile torsion were evaluated and managed from 2006 to 2010. On a random basis, 9 patients underwent surgical repair using a dorsal dartos flap rotation technique (group 1), and 8 patients by suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum (group 2). All were followed up every 6 months.

RESULTS

The mean age in group 1 was 52.3 ± 24.8 months, while in group 2 it was 53.4 ± 33.6 months. Mean follow up was 22.3 ± 10.2 and 21.5 ± 7.2 months in group 1 and group 2 respectively. Torsion was corrected in 6 (66.7%) patients of group 1; 3 (33.3%) had residual torsion < 10°. In group 2, correction was achieved in 6 (75.0%) patients and 2 (25.0%) had residual torsion < 10°. The mean operative time was significantly less for group 1 than for group 2: 45.3 ± 7.1 and 74.5 ± 5.3 min, respectively (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

In short-term prepubertal follow up, both dorsal dartos flap rotation and suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum are effective for correction of congenital penile torsion. The former technique is easier to perform as it requires much less dissection.

The management of moderate and severe congenital penile torsion associated with hypospadias: Urethral mobilisation is not a panacea against torsion

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of urethral mobilisation for correcting moderate and severe penile torsion associated with distal hypospadias.

Patients and methods

Nineteen patients with distal hypospadias and congenital moderate and severe penile torsion were treated surgically. The hypospadias was at the distal shaft, coronal and glanular in seven, eight and four patients, respectively, and six had mild chordee. The mean (SD, range) angle of torsion was 94.7 (19.9, 75–160)°. The urethra was mobilised down to the perineum. If the urethral mobilisation was insufficient the right border of the tunica albuginea was anchored to the pubic periosteum. The hypospadias was repaired using the urethral mobilisation and advancement technique, with a triangular plate flap for meatoplasty. The patients were followed up for 12–18 months.

Results

All patients had a successful functional and cosmetic outcome, with no residual torsion. Two patients had a small subcutaneous haematoma that resolved after conservative treatment. Massive oedema occurred in three patients and was treated conservatively. Urethral mobilisation did not correct the penile torsion completely. Although the mean (SD, range) angle of torsion was reduced to 86.1 (14.3, 65–130)°, statistically significantly different (P = 0.001), it was not clinically important. The presence of chordee had no significant correlation with the reduction of penile torsion.

Conclusion

Urethral mobilisation cannot completely correct moderate and severe penile torsion but it might only partly decrease the angle of torsion. Periosteal anchoring of the tunica albuginea might be the most reliable manoeuvre for the complete correction of penile torsion.

Acute postoperative complications of hypospadias repair

Purpose

Complications in hypospadias surgery are higher than other reconstructive procedures. The incidence of complications can be reduced if proper preventive measures are taken. The review aims to highlight incidences, causes, and preventive measures of acute complications of hypospadias repair.

Materials and Methods

Literature reports were reviewed in Pubmed by giving the key word acute complications of hypospadias repair, wound infection, wound dehiscence, flap necrosis, edema, penile torsion, urethral fistula, bleeding and hematoma and urethral stents problems. Summaries of all articles were reviewed with full text of relevant article and results were analyzed.

Results

Besides mentioning the complications of hypospadias repair in individual articles on the subject, we did not come across any separate article on this subject in the published English literature. Fistula is the commonest complication followed by edema and penile torsion.

Conclusions

Most acute complications can be prevented with adherence to principles of plastic and microsurgery, meticulous preoperative planning, and judicious postoperative care. Deviation from these principles may lead to disaster and even failure of the repair. The aim in hypospadias surgery should be following these principles and bring down the complication rates < 5% in distal hypospadias and < 10% in proximal hypospadias.

Correction of penile torsion by mobilization of urethral plate and urethra

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of correction of torsion by mobilization of the urethral plate with the corpus spongiosum and the proximal urethra.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Of 27 cases of congenital penile torsion, 18 had hypospadias, seven were chordee without hypospadias, and two were isolated penile torsion. Age of patients varied from 2 to 26 years (mean 6 years, 8 months). Correction of torsion was performed: (1) penile skin de-gloving; (2) mobilization of the urethral plate with the corpus spongiosum up to the corona; (3) mobilization of the proximal urethra up to the perineum; and (4) mobilization of the hypoplastic urethra/urethral plate into the glans. Tubularized incised plate urethroplasty with spongioplasty was done in cases of hypospadias, as compared to spongioplasty alone in cases of chordee without hypospadias.

RESULTS

Degree of torsion varied from 45 to 180 degrees (mean 68.70); 74% of the patients had left and 26% had right penile torsion. Correction of torsion was possible by penile de-gloving (4%), mobilization of urethral plate and spongiosum (26%), mobilization of proximal urethra (22%), and mobilization of urethral plate/hypoplastic urethra with spongiosum into glans (48%).

CONCLUSIONS

Extended urethral mobilization corrected penile torsion in almost all cases. The technique is simple, safe, reproducible and effective for correction of both torsion and chordee.

Penile torsion correction by diagonal corporal plication sutures

Penile torsion is commonly encountered. It can be caused by skin and dartos adherence or Buck's fascia attachments. The authors suggest a new surgical approach to solve both problems. If Buck's fascia involvement is demonstrated by artificial erection then a new diagonal corporal plication suture is described to effectively solve this problem.

Modern technique for penile torsion repair

PURPOSE

Penile torsion is a congenital malformation that results in a rotational defect of the penile shaft. Various techniques have been described for correcting penile torsion, although there is no consensus on the best repair. We describe our experience using a dorsal dartos flap to correct penile torsion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of all 25 patients who underwent repair of significant penile torsion using a dorsal dartos flap at our institution between 2004 and 2007. A total of 17 repairs were performed in association with chordee repair, 7 with hypospadias and 1 with bilateral inguinal hernias. Patient age at the time of repair ranged from 6 to 19 months (mean 9). Of the patients 15 had torsion of at least 90 degrees, 8 had torsion of 60 to 90 degrees and 2 had torsion that was not recorded in degrees.

RESULTS

Mean followup was 4 months (range 1.5 to 19). Of the cases 16 demonstrated complete resolution of penile torsion, 7 had residual torsion less than 10 degrees and 2 had documented improvement that was not reported in degrees. No patient has undergone further repair for torsion.

CONCLUSIONS

Penile torsion is a challenging congenital anomaly. The dorsal dartos flap is familiar to pediatric urologists and can be varied for use in repair of penile torsion. The procedure results in successful repair of the torsion, has few complications and can easily be performed concurrently in the setting of other operative repairs. This approach provides excellent short-term results.

Degloving and realignment--simple repair of isolated penile torsion

OBJECTIVES

To present the results of repairing congenital or acquired penile torsion by means of a simple surgical procedure that does not involve resection of corporeal tissue.

METHODS

Forty-six circumcised patients (mean age 27 months, range 6 to 119) presented with isolated penile torsion of a greater than 30 degree rotation. The surgical technique involved degloving the penile skin to the penoscrotal junction. Residual torsion was corrected using 5-6/0 polyglactin absorbable suture applied to the desired 12-o'clock position of the penile skin adjacent to the glans and to a location counter to the direction of the torsion in the degloved penile skin sleeve. A wedge of loose ventral penile skin was usually resected. The resultant tightening of the skin allowed for proper alignment of the penis and better cosmesis. The rest of the circumferential incision was closed using the same suture material. The success of the procedure was evaluated according to physician and parental satisfaction with the final outcome.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven patients were available for follow-up (mean 31 months, range 8 to 68). Satisfactory results were achieved in 35 (95%) of the 37 patients; the other 2 had residual torsion. Complications were minor and consisted of postoperative fever and a subcutaneous hematoma in 1 patient that resolved with conservative treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The degloving and realignment procedure is a simple technique that may be applied safely and successfully in most cases of penile torsion.

Penile torsion repair by suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum

PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new technique to repair penile torsion in children.

METHODS

Eighteen boys with penile torsion were evaluated in our department from 1989 to 2003. Eleven had associated hypospadias, 4 had chordee without hypospadias, and 3 had torsion only. The direction of rotation was counterclockwise in 16 cases and clockwise in 2 cases. Torsion was repaired in 6 patients by degloving the penis and reattaching the dartos and the skin (comparative group). In 11 patients (1 with prior repair), the torsion was corrected by suturing the lateral edge of the corpus cavernosum to the pubic periosteum (study group). Two patients were not treated.

RESULT

Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 7 years. All of the 11 cases in the study group had satisfactory correction of the penile torsion. All of the urethroplasties for hypospadias were successful. In the comparative group, none of 6 patients had satisfactory correction of the rotation.

CONCLUSION

The technique of degloving the penis and reattaching the skin cannot reliably correct penile torsion in our experience. Lateral suturing of tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum to repair penile torsion appears to be a better technique.

Double dartos flaps in tubularized incised plate hypospadias repair

OBJECTIVES

To compare the single dartos flap with double dartos flap coverage. Two overlapping layers of dartos flap were fashioned and fixed in front of the neourethra after tubularized incised plate hypospadias repair to prevent urethrocutaneous fistula and glanular torsion.

METHODS

A total of 96 boys with distal hypospadias were treated with tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. They were divided into two groups. Group 1 (54 patients) had a single dartos flap covering. Group 2 (42 patients) had double dartos flap coverings. The dissected dorsal dartos flap was bisected vertically to form two pedicled wings. Each wing was rotated laterally from either side of the glans to cover the neourethra ventrally in a double-layer fashion.

RESULTS

In group 1, 2 patients (3.7%) developed fistula, 49 (90.7%) had mild glanular torsion, and 5 (9.3%) had moderate glanular torsion. None of group 2 developed fistula or glanular torsion postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Double dartos flaps covering of the neourethra is a simple procedure that was superior to single flap covering for the prevention of urethrocutaneous fistula after tubularized incised plate urethroplasty. Glanular torsion did not occur when double dartos flaps were used.