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Surgical technique and outcomes following coronal-sparing glans resurfacing for benign and malignant penile lesions

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 34, pages 495–500 (2022)Cite this article

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Abstract

The aim of this study is to describe the outcomes for a modified glans-resurfacing technique for benign and malignant penile conditions in which the uninvolved glans corona is preserved in order to maintain glans erogenous sensation. A total of 13 patients underwent coronal-sparing glans resurfacing (CSGR), with follow-up every 3 months for ≥2 years. Positive surgical margin and local recurrence (LR) rates were evaluated. Surgical complications and cosmetic outcomes were also recorded. Patients were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire starting 12 months after the surgery. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) age and follow-up periods were 63 (53–68) years and 29 (14–38) months, respectively. Eight patients were diagnosed with primary penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), three had refractory lichen sclerosus, and two had penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN). No surgical complications were recorded. All patients had a complete graft take and reported satisfactory cosmetic results with preserved erogenous sensation. Two cancer patients developed LR which was managed with further penile preserving surgery. The median (IQR) postoperative IIEF-5 value was 20 (17–23). This modified coronal-sparing technique was suitable for glans lesions that spare the coronal ridge and coronal sulcus. Preservation of the coronal ridge helps maintain sexual function and provides excellent cosmetic outcomes.

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Fig. 1: Neuroanatomy of the penis.
Fig. 2: Marking of the glans epithelium.
Fig. 3: Coverage of glans with split skin graft.
Fig. 4: Postoperative appearance.

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Acknowledgements

AM was supported by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre UCLH.

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Omer Onur Cakir, Nicolò Schifano

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Andrology, Department of Urology, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, London, UK

    Omer Onur Cakir, Luca Venturino, Fabio Castiglione, Hussain M. Alnajjar & Asif Muneer

  2. Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, UCL, London, UK

    Omer Onur Cakir, Fabio Castiglione & Asif Muneer

  3. Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    Nicolò Schifano & Edoardo Pozzi

  4. Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy

    Nicolò Schifano, Edoardo Pozzi & Fabio Castiglione

  5. NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospital, London, UK

    Asif Muneer

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  1. Omer Onur Cakir
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  2. Nicolò Schifano
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  3. Luca Venturino
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  4. Edoardo Pozzi
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  6. Hussain M. Alnajjar
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  7. Asif Muneer
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Correspondence to Asif Muneer.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

Ethics statement

This is a retrospective chart review and audit of outcomes. The treatment was in line with our institutional guidelines and operational policy and approved as part of the multidisciplinary team process as part of standard management for penile lesions. All data were anonymized. All participants gave full informed consent for surgery and for the use of their anonymized data in the study. As this was a variation of our standard partial glans-resurfacing technique which is already part of the institution operational policy, this was approved as a retrospective audit to assess surgical outcomes.

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Cakir, O.O., Schifano, N., Venturino, L. et al. Surgical technique and outcomes following coronal-sparing glans resurfacing for benign and malignant penile lesions. Int J Impot Res 34, 495–500 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-021-00452-5

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