Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Review Article
  • Published:

Complications of glans penis augmentation

Abstract

Despite the controversy regarding penile augmentation (PA), glans penis augmentation (GPA) is used in penile reconstructive surgery in selected patients with small glans penis. Since 2003, injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) gel has been used for GPA. The attractiveness of HA gel fillers and interest in this technique have led to the use of other fillers for GPA, particularly irreversible fillers that improve the longevity of HA gels. Conversely, indirect glans augmentation via implantation of dermofat grafts or scaffolds between the corpus spongiosum and the distal tip of the corpus cavernosum is used to overcome poor longevity of the gel and glans surface undulation, which are the primary limitations of GPA using HA gel. Unfortunately, these implants form hard painful lumps over time in most patients and are difficult to remove. Blunt dissection is an invasive procedure that may cause vascular compromise and consequent glans necrosis in a few patients. We present our review regarding the current status of GPA for a more comprehensive understanding of this subject. Additionally, we have discussed a few complicated cases that were referred to us.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Moon DG, Yoo JW, Bae JH, Han CS, Kim YK, Kim JJ. Sexual function and psychological characteristics of penile paraffinoma. Asian J Androl. 2003;5:191–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Lindau ST, Schumm LP, Laumann EO, Levinson W, O’Muircheartaigh CA, Waite LJ. A study of sexuality and health among older adults in the United States. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:762–74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kim JJ, Kwak TI, Jeon BG, Cheon J, Moon DG. Human glans penis augmentation using injectable hyaluronic acid gel. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:439–543.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Moon DG, Kwak TI, Cho HY, Bae JH, Park HS, Kim JJ. Augmentation of glans penis using injectable hyaluronic acid gel. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:456–60.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kwak TI, Jin MH, Kim JJ, Moon DG. Long-term effects of glans penis augmentation using injectable hyaluronic acid gel for premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2008;20:425–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kwak TI, Oh M, Kim JJ, Moon, du G. The effects of penile girth enhancement using injectable hyaluronic acid gel, a filler. J Sex Med. 2011;8:3407–13.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Yang DY, Ko K, Lee SH, Moon DG, Kim JW, Lee WK. Efficacy and safety of newly developed cross-linked dextran gel injection for glans penis augmentation with a novel technique. Asian J Androl. 2018;20:80–4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Abdallah H, Abdelnasser T, Hosny H, Selim O, Al-Ahwany A, Shamloul R. Treatment of premature ejaculation by glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel: a pilot study. Andrologia. 2012;44:650–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Kim JJ, Kwak TI, Jeon BG, Cheon J, Moon DG. Effects of glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel for premature ejaculation. Int J Impot Res. 2004;16:547–51.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Duffy DM. Complications of fillers: overview. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:1626–33.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Alijotas-Reig J, Fernandez-Figueras MT, Puig L. Inflammatory, immune-mediated adverse reactions related to soft tissue dermal fillers. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2013;43:241–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Moon du G, Kwak TI, Kim JJ. Glans penis augmentation using hyaluronic acid gel as an injectable filler. World J Mens Health. 2015;33:50–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Moon DG. General principles of glans penis augmentation. In: Park NC, Kim SW, Moon DG, editors. Penile augmentation. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2016. p. 169–73.

  14. Park TH, Seo SW, Kim JK, Chang CH. Clinical experience with hyaluronic acid-filler complications. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2011;64:892–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Daines SM, Williams EF. Complications associated with injectable soft-tissue fillers: a 5-year retrospective review. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2013;15:226–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Vanaman M, Fabi SG, Carruthers J. Complications in the cosmetic dermatology patient: a review and our experience (part 1). dermatologic surgery: official publication for American Society for. Dermatol Surg [Et al]. 2016;42:1–11.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. DeLorenzi C.Complications of injectable fillers, part 2: vascular complications.Aesthet Surg J. 2014;34:584–600.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. DeLorenzi C. Complications of injectable fillers, part I. Aesthet Surg J. 2013;33:561–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Rohrich RJ, Ghavami A, Crosby MA. The role of hyaluronic acid fillers (Restylane) in facial cosmetic surgery: review and technical considerations. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;120:41s–54s.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Klein AW. Soft tissue augmentation 2006: filler fantasy. Dermatol Ther. 2006;19:129–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Funt D, Pavicic T. Dermal fillers in aesthetics: an overview of adverse events and treatment approaches. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:295–316.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Surgery ASfAP. 2016 cosmetic surgery National Data Bank Statistics 2016. https://www.surgery.org/sites/default/files/ASAPS-Stats2016.pdf. Accessed May 10, 2018.

  23. Elson ML. Soft tissue augmentation. A review. Dermatol Surg. 1995;21:491–500.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Dover JS. The filler revolution has just begun. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117:38S–40S.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Watson W, Kaye RL, Klein A, Stegman S. Injectable collagen: a clinical overview. Cutis. 1983;31:543–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Sclafani AP, Romo T 3rd. Injectable fillers for facial soft tissue enhancement. Facial Plast Surg. 2000;16:29–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Smith KC. Reversible vs. nonreversible fillers in facial aesthetics: concerns and considerations. Dermatol Online J. 2008;14:3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Monheit GD, Narins RS, Mariwalla K. NASHA family. In: Carruthers J, Carruthers A, Dover JS, Alam M, editors. Soft tissue augmentation: procedures in cosmetic dermatology series. New York, NY: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. p. 10–22.

  29. Matarasso SL, Carruthers JD, Jewell ML. Consensus recommendations for soft-tissue augmentation with nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid (Restylane). Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117:3S–34S.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Turlier V, Delalleau A, Casas C, Rouquier A, Bianchi P, Alvarez S, et al. Association between collagen production and mechanical stretching in dermal extracellular matrix: in vivo effect of cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler. A randomised, placebo-controlled study. J Dermatol Sci. 2013;69:187–94.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Quan T, Wang F, Shao Y, Rittie L, Xia W, Orringer JS, et al. Enhancing structural support of the dermal microenvironment activates fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and keratinocytes in aged human skin in vivo. J Invest Dermatol. 2013;133:658–67.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Monheit GD, Coleman KM. Hyaluronic acid fillers. Dermatol Ther. 2006;19:141–50.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Wollina U, Goldman A. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers: safety and efficacy for the treatment of wrinkles, aging skin, body sculpturing and medical conditions. Clin Med Rev Ther. 2011;2011:107–21.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Tezel A, Fredrickson GH. The science of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2008;10:35–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Gold M. The science and art of hyaluronic acid dermal filler use in esthetic applications. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2009;8:301–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Tran C, Carraux P, Micheels P, Kaya G, Salomon D. In vivo bio-integration of three hyaluronic acid fillers in human skin: a histological study. Dermatology. 2014;228:47–54.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Gladstone HB, Cohen JL. Adverse effects when injecting facial fillers. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2007;26:34–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Requena L, Requena C, Christensen L, Zimmermann US, Kutzner H, Cerroni L. Adverse reactions to injectable soft tissue fillers. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;64:1–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Artzi O, Loizides C, Verner I, Landau M. Resistant and recurrent late reaction to hyaluronic acid-based gel. Dermatol Surg. 2016;42:31–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Perovic S, Radojicic ZI, Djordjevic M, Vukadinovic VV. Enlargement and sculpturing of a small and deformed glans. J Urol. 2003;170:1686–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Shaeer O. Supersizing the penis following penile prosthesis implantation. J Sex Med. 2010;7:2608–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Okubo M, Hyakusoku H, Kanno K, Fumiiri M. Complications after injection mammaplasty. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 1992;16:181–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Christensen LH, Breiting VB, Aasted A, Jorgensen A, Kebuladze I. Long-term effects of polyacrylamide hydrogel on human breast tissue. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003;111:1883–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Cheng NX, Wang YL, Wang JH, Zhang XM, Zhong H. Complications of breast augmentation with injected hydrophilic polyacrylamide gel. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2002;26:375–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Chen B, Song H. Management of breast deformity after removal of injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel: Retrospective study of 200 cases for 7 years. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2016;40:482–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. de Bree R, Middelweerd MJ, van der Waal I. Severe granulomatous inflammatory response induced by injection of polyacrylamide gel into the facial tissue. Arch Facial Plast Surg. 2004;6:204–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Liu Y, Cen Y, Xu XW, Duan WQ. [Analysis of complications induced by polyacrylamide hydrogel injection for augmentation mammaplasty]. Zhonghua Zheng Xing Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2005;21:464–6.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Bergeret-Galley C, Latouche X, Illouz YG. The value of a new filler material in corrective and cosmetic surgery: DermaLive and DermaDeep. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2001;25:249–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Sidwell RU, Dhillon AP, Butler PE, Rustin MH. Localized granulomatous reaction to a semi-permanent hyaluronic acid and acrylic hydrogel cosmetic filler. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2004;29:630–2.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Nicolau PJ. Long-lasting and permanent fillers: biomaterial influence over host tissue response. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;119:2271–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Rohrich RJ, Monheit G, Nguyen AT, Brown SA, Fagien S. Soft-tissue filler complications: the important role of biofilms. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;125:1250–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Christensen LH. Host tissue interaction, fate, and risks of degradable and nondegradable gel fillers. Dermatol Surg. 2009;35:1612–9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Bentkover SH. The biology of facial fillers. Facial Plast Surg. 2009;25:73–85.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Parada MB, Michalany NS, Hassun KM, Bagatin E, Talarico S. A histologic study of adverse effects of different cosmetic skin fillers. Skinmed. 2005;4:345–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. Zyczkowski M, Prokopowicz G, Zajecki W, Paradysz A. Complications following endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteric reflux with Deflux((R)) - two case studies. Cent Eur J Urol. 2012;65:230–1.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Brody HJ. Use of hyaluronidase in the treatment of granulomatous hyaluronic acid reactions or unwanted hyaluronic acid misplacement. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:893–7.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Hirsch RJ, Brody HJ, Carruthers JD. Hyaluronidase in the office: a necessity for every dermasurgeon that injects hyaluronic acid. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2007;9:182–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. Perovic SV, Scepanovic DR, Vukadinovic VM, Djakovic NG, Djordjevic ML. [Penile disassembly technique: a new approach in the surgical reconstruction of hypospadias]. Prog Urol. 1999;9:371–9.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Shaeer O. Shaeer’s glans augmentation technique: a pilot study. J Sex Med. 2012;9:3264–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  60. Lowe NJ, Maxwell CA, Patnaik R. Adverse reactions to dermal fillers: review. Dermatol Surg. 2005;31:1616–25.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Lenzer J. Watching over the medical device industry. BMJ. 2009;338:b2321.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Lohman ME, Ghobadi CW, Xu S. Device safety implications of the clinical data leading to US Food and Drug Administration approval of soft-tissue fillers: A systematic review. JAMA Facial Plast Surg. 2017;19:421–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  63. Yang DY, Lee WK, Kim SC. Tolerability and efficacy of newly developed penile injection of cross-linked dextran and polymethylmethacrylate mixture on penile enhancement: 6 months follow-up. Int J Impot Res. 2013;25:99–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Kim MT, Ko K, Lee WK, Kim SC, Yang DY. Long-term safety and longevity of a mixture of polymethyl methacrylate and cross-linked dextran (Lipen-10(R)) after penile augmentation: Extension study from six to 18 months of follow-up. World J Mens Health. 2015;33:202–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  65. Park TH, Seo SW, Kim JK, Chang CH. Clinical outcome in a series of 173 cases of foreign body granuloma: improved outcomes with a novel surgical technique. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2012;65:29–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Park TH, Seo SW, Kim JK, Chang CH. Clinical experience with polymethylmethacrylate microsphere filler complications. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36:421–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  67. Lemperle G, Rullan PP, Gauthier-Hazan N. Avoiding and treating dermal filler complications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;118:92S–107S.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Du Geon Moon.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Ahn, S.T., Il Kwak, T., Park, K.S. et al. Complications of glans penis augmentation. Int J Impot Res 31, 245–255 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0097-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0097-4

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links