Complications of glans penis augmentation

• Published in: International journal of impotence research Vol. 31; no. 4; pp. 245 - 255
• Main Authors: Ahn, Sun Tae, Il Kwak, Tae, Park, Kwang Sung, Kim, Je Jong, Moon, Du Geon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.07.2019; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 692/699/2768/515; 692/700/565/2194; Complications and side effects; Humans; Hyaluronic acid; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Mens health; Patient Satisfaction; Penile prostheses; Penis - surgery; Plastic surgery; Reproductive Medicine; Review Article; rology; Side effects; Surgery, Plastic; Transplants & implants; Urogenital system; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male - adverse effects; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male - methods; Urology; South Korea
• ISSN: 0955-9930; 1476-5489; 1476-5489
• DOI: 10.1038/s41443-018-0097-4

Despite the controversy regarding penile augmentation (PA), glans penis augmentation (GPA) is used in penile reconstructive surgery in selected patients with small glans penis. Since 2003, injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) gel has been used for GPA. The attractiveness of HA gel fillers and interest in this technique have led to the use of other fillers for GPA, particularly irreversible fillers that improve the longevity of HA gels. Conversely, indirect glans augmentation via implantation of dermofat grafts or scaffolds between the corpus spongiosum and the distal tip of the corpus cavernosum is used to overcome poor longevity of the gel and glans surface undulation, which are the primary limitations of GPA using HA gel. Unfortunately, these implants form hard painful lumps over time in most patients and are difficult to remove. Blunt dissection is an invasive procedure that may cause vascular compromise and consequent glans necrosis in a few patients. We present our review regarding the current status of GPA for a more comprehensive understanding of this subject. Additionally, we have discussed a few complicated cases that were referred to us.