[Plastic Surgical Correction of Buried Penis]

A "buried penis" causes functional problems and embarrassment. In the past, this complex condition was only seen in extremely overweight patients or as a result of severe inflammations in this region. More recently, this problem has also been observed in patients with massive weight loss following bariatric surgery. In these patients there is an abundance of extremely flaccid skin in the suprapubic region, which covers the penis and causes it to "disappear". This leads to balanitis and, in turn, further retraction of the penis. The only solution to this condition is a sophisticated surgical approach in 3 phases: At first, suprapubic tissues must be lifted. Secondly, the penis must be completely denuded and debrided and the correct penopubic/penoscrotal angles must be reconstructed. The last phase includes a strainless coverage of the remaining defect of the penis. This condition has not been widely described in the literature. The general incidence and prevalence in the postbariatric population is unknown, probably due to patients' embarrassment and lack of knowledge on the physicians' end. Nevertheless, the buried penis can be successfully exposed through careful, structured surgical treatment and an interdisciplinary approach between plastic surgeons and urologists.