6533b7d0fe1ef96bd125b7a0

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The inconspicuous penis in children

Rita OrtolanoPieralba CatalanoMario GiuffrèMarcello Cimador

subject

MaleSex DifferentiationUrologyCongenital megaprepucePenile DiseasesmedicineHumansReconstructive Surgical ProcedureLigamentLigamentsbusiness.industryMedicine (all)Webbed penisAnatomyMicropenisConcealed penisPlastic Surgery Proceduresmedicine.diseasePenimedicine.anatomical_structureSexual dysfunctionCircumcision Malemedicine.symptomGenital Diseases MaleMale factor infertilitybusinessPenisPenisHuman

description

The term 'inconspicuous penis' refers to a group of anatomical abnormalities in which the penis looks smaller than is expected. Micropenis can be defined as 'true micropenis' - which results from a defect in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis - and 'micropenis secondary to congenital anatomical anomalies of the surrounding and overlying structures' - also known as 'concealed penis'. The different forms of concealed penis include webbed penis, congenital megaprepuce and partially hidden penis caused by prepubic adiposity. This disorder can also have iatrogenic causes resulting from adhesions that are secondary to circumcision - this type of concealed penis is known as 'trapped penis'. However, in both groups, micropenis is defined as a stretched penile length that is at least 2.5 SD below the mean for the patient's age, but without any other penile defects. Patients with true micropenis can be managed with testosterone, which has demonstrated good penile elongation results in the long term. Surgery also has a pivotal role in reconstruction for elongating the penis and for correction of anatomical abnormalities in concealed penis.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2015-04-09
10.1038/nrurol.2015.49http://hdl.handle.net/10447/209524