Management of burns of the penis

Burns of the penis can be physically and psychologically devastating. This is particularly true in young pediatric patients who have to content with growth as well as with the trials of adolescence and the development of self-image. Little has been written on the grafting management of these injuries. This report reviews a management technique used with great success. Ten patients who sustained full-thickness penis burns were reviewed. The grafting technique consisted of excision and grafting with sheet grafts in a one- or two-stage setting. After grafting, the penis was placed in traction with a weighted Foley catheter. Grafts were left open or stented. No complications occurred from the traction apparatus, and graft take was uniformly excellent. Short-term results have been excellent, and no urethral problems have developed over a median 3-year follow-up. This technique appears to provide excellent means of supporting the penis to accomplish superb graft take in this hard-to-manage area.