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Demzik et al. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:52 Plastic and
DOI: 10.20517/2347-9264.2020.93 Aesthetic Research

Review Open Access

Skin grafting for penile skin loss

Alysen Demzik , Charles Peterson , Bradley D. Figler 1
1
2
1 Department of Urology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
2 University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.

Correspondence to: Dr. Bradley D. Figler, Department of Urology, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 2105 Physician’s
Office Building, 170 Manning Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. E-mail: figler@unc.edu

How to cite this article: Demzik A, Peterson C, Figler BD. Skin grafting for penile skin loss. Plast Aesthet Res 2020;7:52.
http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2020.93

Received: 24 Apr 2020 First Decision: 11 Aug 2020 Revised: 1 Sep 2020 Accepted: 17 Sep 2020 Published: 12 Oct 2020
Academic Editor: Marlon E. Buncamper Copy Editor: Cai-Hong Wang Production Editor: Jing Yu

Abstract
Penile skin grafting is an effective technique for managing skin deficiency resulting from a variety of causes. A
thorough understanding of penile anatomy and the pathophysiology of the underlying condition being treated are
essential. We provide an overview of penile anatomy as well as the pathophysiology of conditions that may lead to
penile skin deficiency, as a result of either the underlying condition or its management. The conditions discussed
include lichen sclerosus, buried penis, hidradenitis suppurativa, lymphedema, necrotizing fasciitis, cancer, and
trauma. We also discuss surgical technique for penile skin grafting with an emphasis on technical considerations
unique to the penis. Finally, we review the available literature on penile skin grafting.

Keywords: Skin grafting, penile reconstruction, buried penis, hidradenitis suppurativa, Fournier gangrene, penile
lymphedema, penile cancer, penis, lichen sclerosus et atrophicus

INTRODUCTION
Penile skin grafting is an effective technique for managing skin deficiency resulting from a variety of causes,
including trauma, infection/inflammation, surgery, and cancer treatment. A thorough understanding
of penile anatomy and the pathophysiology of the underlying condition being treated are essential to
achieving acceptable functional and aesthetic results. In this review, we provide an overview of penile
anatomy as well as the pathophysiology of conditions that may lead to penile skin deficiency, either as
a result of the underlying condition or its management. We also discuss surgical technique for penile

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use,
sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, for any purpose, even commercially, as long
as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license,
and indicate if changes were made.

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