Abstract

RECALDE-LOSADA, C. et al. Surgical management of scrotal elephantiasis: a two severe cases report. Cir. plást. iberolatinoam. [online]. 2014, vol.40, n.2, pp.205-212. ISSN 1989-2055.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0376-78922014000200010.

The lymphedema may affect any part of the body including the scrotum and penis due to an alteration of the lymphatic drainage, causing great deformities known as elephantiasis. Genital lymphedema may cause severe functional and emotional limitations in patients because they often suffer pain caused by chronic irritation, recurrent infections, incapacity to clean themselves, sexual disfunction, aesthetic deformities and mobility impairment. There is not an ideal medical or surgical treatment for masculine genital lymphedema. In the literature, there is reference to fasciocutaneos flaps from the inner side of the thighs after big resections of scrotal tissue, but thermoregulation may be altered causing sterility. Also skin grafts are described, but they do not supply a stable coverage. Another option is the reconstruction with posterior perineal flaps where perirectal lymphatic vessels are preserved to ensure a lymphatic drainage. We present 2 cases of severe elephantiasic scrotal lymphedema, in which we practised limphangiectomy and reconstruction with perineal local flaps. In both patients results were satisfactory, improving significantly life quality, with no signs of recurrence 1 year after the treatment.

Keywords : Linphedema; Scrotal linphedema; Penis linphedema; Scrotal elephantiasis; Perineal flaps.

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