Background: Although a considerable part of patients desire further improvement in penile size after hypospadias repairs, penile augmentation is only considered in patients with congenital penile hypoplasia or acquired penile retraction. Modified penile augmentation by free dermal-fat graft is introduced to satisfy these patients and improve surgical safety.
Methods: From April 2012 to December 2014, a total of 15 male adults after hypospadias repairs, aged 18-24 years, underwent modified penile augmentation which involved girth enhancement by a free dermal-fat graft and penile elongation (suprapubic skin advancement-ligamentolysis). A specially designed tunneling instrument was introduced to facilitate pericavernous thickening without degloving. Outcome evaluation was mainly based on objective penile measurements and results of the Male Genital Image Scale.
Results: With 6 months' follow-up, all patients had achieved excellent cosmetic results, with a significant average dimensional increase of 1.53 ± 0.23 cm in flaccid girth and 1.67 ± 0.24 cm in flaccid length. No erection deficiencies or urinary fistula occurred. Patients' perception of male genitalia improved postoperatively, with the average MGIS score rising from 31.73 ± 4.86 to 40.20 ± 4.54.
Conclusions: This modified technique is safe and effective in enlarging penile size. The use of the specially designed tunneling instrument simplifies penile girth enhancement, avoiding unnecessary trauma to the neo-urethra and neurovascular bundle. It is confirmed that physical dimensional enhancement does contribute to improving their underestimation of penile size.
Level of evidence iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Keywords: Free dermal-fat graft; Hypospadias; Penile augmentation; Penile size.