35 Review
Received Date: 11.04.2015 Accepted Date: 16.04.2015
© Copyright 2015 by Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Training and Research Hospital. Available on-line at www.jarem.org
DOI: 10.5152/jarem.2015.727
Address for Correspondence: Dr. Özkan Onuk,
Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Üroloji Kliniği,
İstanbul, Türkiye
Phone: +90 506 594 27 59 E-mail: drozkanonuk@gmail.com
Phalloplasty and Penile Prosthesis Implantation for
Micropenis
Murat Dinçer
1
, Özkan Onuk
2
1
Clinic of Urology, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
2
Clinic of Urology, Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey
ABSTRACT
Since pre-historical times, small penis has been a major topic of discussion among males. Adult males and parents of small children consult
physicians with a self-diagnosis of micropenis. This potential diagnosis creates signifcant anxiety in parents. However, simply by conducting
a urogenital examination and by measuring the penis size, diagnosis can be validated. Determining whether the penis size is within a normal
range can serve to reduce anxiety and protect patients from redundant surgical operations. In recent years, various tissue faps are being
used for the surgical treatment of micropenis. In parallel to developments in microsurgery, free faps incorporating sensory nerves are being
preferred. Prosthetic implantations are currently the best solution for generating erection after the application of tissue fap. However, these
implantations differ signifcantly from penile prostheses used for erectile dysfunction. We must wait for the sensation recovery of the phallus
prior to the implantation of the prosthesis, and three-piece infatable prostheses must be preferred. Even though contemporary successful
operations provide suffcient results for patients, obtaining an erection in phalloplasty patients remains to be the subject of ongoing research.
(JAREM 2015; 5: 35-8)
Keywords: Micropenis, phalloplasty, penile prosthesis
INTRODUCTION
Penis has the functions of urinating standing up and sexual inter-
course. For performing these functions, the length of penis must
be 7.5 cm and above. With regard to age, a penile length below
the nomogram specifed by Schonfeld and Beebe (1) is called
micropenis. Furthermore, patients whose urethras are not ortho-
topic are classifed as microphallus (2). In a newborn, the normal
length of penis is accepted to be 3.4±0.37 cm. The measurement
values of <2.5 cm are evaluated as micropenis (3). Although long-
term data are unavailable, most patients are unsatisfed with their
penile appearance; however, they mostly have suffcient sexual
function (4).
Real micropenis develops because of hormonal abnormalities af-
ter the 12
th
gestational week. This condition is basically classifed
into three groups as follows: hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
(pituitary/hypothalamic insuffciency), hypergonadotropic hypo-
gonadism (primary testicular insuffciency), and idiopathic. The
reasons for developing micropenis are given in the following
table in detail.
Etiologies
I. Testosterone secretion defciency
A. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism
1. Isolated Kallmann’s syndrome
2. Pituitary hormone defciency
3. Prader–Willi syndrome
4. Laurence–Moon syndrome
5. Bardet–Biedl syndrome
6. Rud’s syndrome
B. Primary hypogonadism
1. Anorchidism
2. Klinefelter and poly-X syndromes
3. Gonadal dysgenesis (incomplete form)
4. Luteinizing hormone receptor defects (incomplete
form)
5. Testosterone steroidogenesis genetic defects (in-
complete form)
6. Noonan syndrome
7. Trisomy 21
8. Robinow syndrome
9. Bardet–Biedl syndrome
10. Laurence–Moon syndrome
II. Testosterone activity defects
A. Growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I defciency
B. Androgen receptor defects (incomplete forms)
C. 5-α-reductase defciency (incomplete forms)
D. Fetal hydantoin syndrome