Surgical Treatment of an Exuberant Case of Penoscrotal Elephantiasis

Lymphedema is a manifestation of lymphatic system disturbance and deranged lymph transport, with resultant swelling, a proliferation of parenchymal and stromal elements, and excess deposition of the extracellular matrix. It may occur in any part of the body, most frequently in the limbs. Staging ranges from inconspicuous lymphatic system derangement to lymphatic elephantiasis. Surgical treatment is the preferred modality. This case report is of a 36-year-old male patient with morbid obesity with a five-year-long history of penoscrotal volume increase without any apparent trigger. Patient observation revealed a frankly enlarged scrotum involving the penis, with distortion and an increase in urinary meatus diameter. The penis was palpable but hardly observable. Neither testicle was palpable. Scrotal tissue was hardened and sclerotic. We performed surgical excision of all swollen tissue while identifying and preserving the penis and both testicles. Local advancement flaps were used to create a neoscrotum. Resurfacing of the penis was accomplished with split-thickness skin grafting harvested from a small part of healthy skin included in the excised tissue and held in place during the first week with negative pressure therapy. There are no signs of local or distant relapse, and the patient mentions a dramatic improvement in urinary flow, quality of life in terms of ambulation, everyday tasks, and self-esteem. We present a very rare clinical case of exuberant penoscrotal lymphedema in a young patient with very few risk factors. Given the extent and time of presentation, microsurgery of the lymphatics was not indicated, and thus, a Charles procedure was undertaken. Even so, patient quality of life was significantly improved, and no recurrences have been reported so far.