[Elephantiasis of the external genitalia in children]

This study presents an experience with diagnosis and management of external genital elephantiasis in 18 children in the age range of 3 to 15 years. All patients underwent surgical treatment. The type and scope of surgery depended on the extent and severity of elephantiasis. A total of 21 operations were done. Long-term results were evaluated in these 13 patients at 1 to 22 years. The evaluation included physical appearance of the genitalia, scars, secondary deformities, penile and testicular size, the presence of erections and menstruation. Adults of mature ages were evaluated for fertility and reproductive status. Long-term results were good in all 13 patients. This analysis suggests that early radical surgical treatment of children with congenital elephantiasis of the external genitalia enables a normal anatomic and functional genital development and averts severe local and systemic disorders.