Scrotal and penile lymphedema: surgical considerations and management

From 1971 to 1981, 6 patients with scrotal and penile lymphedema were treated with total excision of the scrotal and penile skin. Split thickness skin grafts were used to cover the penis and form a neoscrotum. Of the patients 2 men had primary idiopathic lymphedema, while 4 had secondary lymphedema resulting from foreign body injections or trauma with subsequent chronic infection. Surgical considerations using split thickness skin grafts versus posterior lateral scrotal skin flaps are compared.