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Suprapubic pedicled phalloplasty in transgender men: a multicentric retrospective cohort analysis

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 33, pages 808–814 (2021)Cite this article

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A Correction to this article was published on 02 April 2020

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Abstract

A variety of approaches are available to address a genital gender affirming surgery (GGAS) in transgender men. The aim of the present study is to report surgical and functional outcomes after a suprapubic pedicled phalloplasty (SPP). From November 2008 to August 2018, a consecutive series of 34 patients underwent an SPP in two tertiary referral centers. GGAS was conducted as a multistaged procedure, consisting (1) SPP with subsequent radial artery-based forearm free-flap urethroplasty, (2) glans sculpting, urethral anastomosis, and scrotoplasty, and (3) penile prosthesis implantation. The duration of surgery, intra and postoperative complications, and hospital stay were selected as variables for surgical outcomes. Functional outcomes were extrapolated from a four-item questionnaire.A partial necrosis of phallus was detected in two cases (5.8 %). Two cases of seroma formation with wound dehiscence (5.8%) were detected. Overall, 89% of patients declared to be fully satisfied of the SPP, 83% would recommend the procedure to someone else, and 89% would undergo the same procedure again. Overall, 66% of patients could achieve an orgasm during sexual penetrative intercourses. The retrospective design, the lack of randomization and validated questionnaire for outcomes reporting, and the limited follow-up represent the main drawbacks of our study. Our evidences suggest that SPP represents as an acceptable option for GGAS.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to express a great appreciation to all physicians involved in this study for the great interest demonstrated towards this ambitious project and the accuracy demonstrated in collecting data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urology department, Città della Salute e della Scienza—Molinette Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy

    Marco Falcone, Massimiliano Timpano, Marco Oderda, Mirko Preto & Paolo Gontero

  2. Urology department, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    Andrea Cocci

  3. Urology department, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy

    Girolamo Morelli & Chiara Polito

  4. Urology department, University of Catania, Catania, Italy

    Ivan Russo Giorgio

  5. Urology Department, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Blecher Gideon

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  1. Marco Falcone
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  9. Blecher Gideon
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  10. Paolo Gontero
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Correspondence to Marco Falcone.

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Falcone, M., Timpano, M., Oderda, M. et al. Suprapubic pedicled phalloplasty in transgender men: a multicentric retrospective cohort analysis. Int J Impot Res 33, 808–814 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-020-0238-4

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