A salvage operation for total penis amputation due to circumcision

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Circumcision is a common ritual and medical procedure.
• While generally safe, severe complications like penis amputation can occur.
• Electrocautery use during circumcision carries risks, including severe burns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of penile amputation at two levels due to electrocautery burns during circumcision.
• To describe a novel surgical salvage technique using groin flap surgery for a traumatically injured penis.
• To highlight the successful functional and aesthetic restoration achieved with this technique.

Main Methods:

• Presentation of a clinical case involving penile amputation and third-degree burns from electrocautery.
• Attempted penile replantation, which failed due to venous burn damage.
• Salvage surgery utilizing groin flap transplantation for penile reconstruction and revascularization.

Main Results:

• Successful reconstruction of the penis using a re-epithelialized inguinal burial technique.
• Achieved a functionally and aesthetically acceptable outcome despite initial replantation failure.
• Demonstrated the efficacy of groin flap surgery in managing severe penile trauma.

Conclusions:

• Severe penile trauma from electrocautery during circumcision, though rare, requires innovative surgical solutions.
• Groin flap surgery offers a viable and successful salvage option for extensive penile injuries where replantation is not feasible.
• This case represents a novel application of groin flap surgery for penile reconstruction, achieving positive functional and aesthetic results.