Efficacy and safety evaluation of the scrotal skin transfer method in the treatment of pediatric concealed penis: a six-month follow-up data

BACKGROUND: Pediatric concealed penis affects penis development and the psychological health of the children. Current surgical methods tend to retain too much of the inner foreskin plate, resulting in unsatisfactory appearance and postoperative complications. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of a new surgical intervention method using a scrotal skin transfer instead of the external foreskin plate to treat pediatric concealed penis. METHODS: Sixty children (aged between 3 and 9 years and 3 months) diagnosed with concealed penis admitted to our hospital between June 2020 and June 2022 were included. All patients were randomly divided into Improve group (n=30, treated with the new surgical intervention method of scrotal skin transfer) and General group (n=30, treated with traditional Shiraki procedure). The pre-operative and post-operative penis length were collected. A follow-up of 6 months was conducted in all patients. Postoperative penile appearance, penile skin color difference, and satisfaction with the penile appearance were used to evaluate the efficacy of surgery, and the postoperative complications (penile retraction, skin edema and incision infection) were collected to observe the safety of treatment. RESULTS: The post-operative penis length of Improve group was significantly increased compared with General group. The penile skin color was consistent, the penile scrotal angle and the penile pubic angle were formed naturally, and the penis was completely exposed in Improve group. During 6 months’ follow-up, the patients in the improvement group did not have infection, penile retraction and skin color difference, and 2 patients had edema. The complication rate in the Improve group was lower than that in the General group. CONCLUSIONS: The scrotal skin transfer method shows remarkable efficacy and safety without apparent complications and results in a penis that is fully exposed and aesthetically pleasing.