Congenital aphallia associated with congenital urethrorectal fistula: A rare case report

RATIONALE: Aphallia is an extremely rare congenital malformation of unknown cause, with few reports in the literature. It is usually associated with other urogenital and gastrointestinal anomalies and is believed to be a result of either the absence of a genital tubercle or chromosome polymorphism. Herein, we describe an extremely rare case of congenital aphallia with congenital urethrorectal fistula and describe our treatment for this patient. PATIENT CONCERNS: An 8-year-old boy was brought to our hospital by his parents because of congenital absence of the penis. The child was male per karyotype and had excess heterochromatin on chromosome 9 (46 XY with 9 qh+). No urethral orifice was identified, and urine passed rectally since birth; thus, urinary tract outlet obstruction led to urine reflux from the anus to the epididymis for a long time. The boy had to be placed on prophylactic antibiotics because he developed urinary tract infection and epididymitis almost every day. DIAGNOSIS: Congenital aphallia (46 XY normal male karyotype) associated with congenital urethroretal fistula. INTERVENTIONS: We performed urethral exteriorization via perineal urethroplasty and urethrorectal fistula repair. The parents approved for phallic reconstruction when the boy reached puberty. OUTCOME: A new external urethral orifice was created on the lower scrotum. The urinary reflux was corrected, and the epididymitis symptoms disappeared. The urethral fistula was then closed. At 8 months follow up, the patient was no longer on antibiotics and had no symptoms of urinary tract infection or epididymitis. CONCLUSIONS: Compatible treatment should be adopted to address urinary tract drainage and infection. Management requires a stepwise approach to address needs as they arise. Neophalloplasty should be performed by an experienced team in early adolescence.