Scrotal lymphedema praecox: disease and treatment

Lymphedema of the scrotum and penis represents a debilitating but uncommon entity in countries spared of endemic filariasis. The clinical presentation and surgical management of one patient with idiopathic lymphedema praecox is discussed. A posterior based scrotal skin flap and a split thickness skin graft were used to reconstruct the scrotum and resurface the penis following radical excision of the edematous tissue. Limitation of the disease to the superficial tissues and relative sparing of the posterior scrotal skin represent the anatomic basis for success with this approach. The more deforming therapeutic alternative of excision of all lymphedematous tissue with transfer of the testes to the thigh and split thickness skin grafting to the exposed area would probably be best reserved for recurrence.