RESUMEN
The technique of urogenital plastic surgery continues to pose difficulties for surgeons due to physical features of the anatomical region, which complicates the correction of various severe male urogenital pathologies. The goal of the surgeon is to create a neophallus that allows for urination and intercourse with minimal damage to the donor site. This special topic provides a historical overview and principles for optimal phalloplasty. To improve results in latissimus dorsi free-flap phalloplasty, we share our approach, its benefits, and the lessons we have learned. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent shaft-only, two-stage or one-stage latissimus dorsi flap phalloplasty with or without reinnervation at a single institution from 1991 through 2020. Patients with a minimum of 1 year of follow-up were included. Data on the patient's demographics, the procedure, and the results of the operation were maintained. Results: In total, 592 latissimus dorsi flap phalloplasties were performed during the entire study period. Of the phalloplasties, 494 (83.5%) were performed for gender-affirming surgery, of which 470 were performed for transgender patients and 24 for intersex patients. Twenty-five patients (4.2%) had congenital malformations, 17 (2.9%) had oncologic resections, and 56 had posttraumatic loss (9.5%). Conclusion: Latissimus dorsi flap total phalloplasty with reinnervation is currently one of the few methods that can solve not only an aesthetic problem, but also a functional one without the use of an endoprosthesis if the level of reinnervation and muscle contraction is sufficient.
RESUMEN
Reconstruction of tissue defects resulting from high-voltage injuries remains a serious issue in plastic surgery. For many years it has been solved by applying autologous reconstruction with rotated and revascularized flaps. We present a series outlining reconstructive practices in treatment of patients with high-voltage "uromanual" injuries. These types of injuries include a group of upper extremities and genitoperineal high-voltage trauma due to urination on an electrical source, which are rarely discussed in the literature. This study aimed to describe the algorithm of perioperative care and surgical treatment in patients with high-voltage uromanual trauma. Three male patients (mean age 26.3 years, range: 20-35 years) with traumatic injury of the genital area and the upper extremities due to high-voltage injury underwent reconstruction with a one-stage repair of defects. In one patient, the defect of the left upper extremity was eliminated by microsurgical autotransplantation of musculocutaneous thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. The genitoperineal region was repaired using rotated scrotal flaps. In two other cases, phalloplasty with a revascularized myocutaneous thoracodorsal artery perforator flap was followed by urethroplasty with a prefabricated radial forearm free flap. Hand deformities were eliminated using split-thickness skin autografts. All flaps survived. No complications were observed in the autograft harvesting areas. All cases showed good aesthetic and functional postoperative outcomes. Management of uromanual injuries should include one-stage reconstruction of upper extremities and genitoperineal defects for restoration of satisfying functional and aesthetic components crucial for patient's quality of life and socialization.
RESUMEN
Correction of male urogenital pathology of different severity is complicated by the anatomical aspects of the penis. Skin texture, internal structures, and perfusion dynamics of the urogenital area make it a difficult area to reconstruct. We provide our experience with axial scrotal flaps for correction of penile defects of different severity and believe that these local flaps offer sufficient tissue characteristics for proper restoration of this complex region. METHODS: Forty-eight patients were divided into 3 groups depending on penile defect genesis and severity. Axial scrotal flap reconstruction was used for the correction of defects in all cases, when necessary in combination with other flaps. RESULTS: Axial scrotal flaps for total and subtotal penile reconstruction serve as valuable material for reconstruction of the urogenital area, and are to be combined with other flaps for restoration of bulk tissues. Localized defects of the penis and urethra reconstructed by axial scrotal flaps provide excellent aesthetic results with minimal scaring, stable perfusion dynamics, and high satisfaction rate. CONCLUSIONS: Scrotal tissues provide an excellent reconstruction material for penile defects because of their highly similar tissue structure as that of the penis. Scrotal axial flaps do not provide excess bulking in the postoperative period and are recommended for reconstruction of urethral and localized penile defects. Multistage surgery is recommended in cases of severe tissue damage, in combination with other flaps (inguinal, thoracodorsal, and radial).