Free Split-Skin Grafting to Correct Radical Circumcision: An Alternative Solution
for an Under-Reported Complication
Circumcision is one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide,
and like all other operations, there is a risk of complication.
Our patient had an excessive skin excision circumcision which led
to a symptomatic partially buried penis.
A free split skin graft was successfully applied to correct
a large circumferential skin defect with relief of symptoms,
preservation of function and good cosmetic outcome.
An otherwise healthy 11-year-old boy underwent an elective
circumcision at the age of five for phimosis with a normal healing.
The boy began to develop pain associated with erections at the
age of nine.
He had presented his concern multiple times to his general practitioner,
hospital and urologists for 2 long years. Despite his condition
being correctly diagnosed, he was managed conservatively
due to lack of a well-established intervention.
On examination, the flaccid length of his penis was 2 cm with
the skin while under tension. The boy reported that his penis did
not increase in length with an erection and this was
associated with exquisite pain.
The cause of the pain was attributable to the skin of the penis,
for not being able to accommodate the penis during the erectile state.
At the time of discharge the graft and donor site were
healing well. Community nurses managed daily dressings for
a further three weeks. Analgesic requirement was minimal and
managed in the community
Urol Androl Open J. 2017; 1(2): 32-34. doi: 10.17140/UAOJ-1-109
