Detailed resources and procedural information.
Adult buried penis is a condition in which the penile shaft is partially or completely hidden by surrounding skin and soft tissue. It can develop for a number of reasons, including excess lower abdominal tissue, scarring, inflammation, or changes in the tissues surrounding the penis.
Although the penis itself may be normal in size and structure, being buried can make it difficult to maintain hygiene, urinate while standing, or engage in sexual activity. In more advanced cases, chronic inflammation and scarring can further worsen the condition.
Successful treatment requires more than simply exposing the penis. The surrounding abnormal tissue must be carefully addressed and the penis reconstructed to provide durable coverage and allow it to remain exposed and functional.
Buried penis repair is a reconstructive procedure tailored to the patient's anatomy and the condition of the surrounding tissues.
When excess lower abdominal tissue is contributing to the buried penis, the operation typically begins with removal of the lower abdominal pannus - the excess skin and fatty tissue below the abdomen that is covering the penis. Diseased, scarred, or chronically inflamed penile skin is also removed[cite: 2].
The remaining healthy tissue is then used to reconstruct the area and restore durable exposure of the penis. When sufficient healthy skin is available, a skin graft can be harvested from the portion of the pannus that is removed during surgery[cite: 2]. This avoids creating a separate donor-site wound on the thigh[cite: 2]. If the pannus does not provide enough suitable skin, a skin graft can instead be harvested from the lateral thigh[cite: 2].
The reconstructive portion of the operation requires careful attention to the penile skin, surrounding soft tissues, and the junction between the penis and lower abdomen. The goal is to create a durable reconstruction that allows the penis to remain exposed while also providing healthy tissue coverage and improving hygiene, urination, and sexual function.
The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient operation. Depending on the extent of reconstruction and the patient's circumstances, patients may go home the same day or stay overnight for observation[cite: 2].
Healing the skin graft properly is an important part of the reconstruction. After surgery, patients typically have a specialized bolster dressing over the graft, a Foley catheter, and two surgical drains[cite: 2].
These are generally maintained for approximately one week[cite: 2]. The bolster dressing helps keep the graft securely against the underlying tissue while it heals, while the catheter and drains protect the reconstruction and help minimize tension, fluid accumulation, and other complications during the early healing period.
The first several weeks are focused on allowing the graft and surrounding tissues to heal. Detailed postoperative instructions and follow-up are provided to monitor healing and ensure the reconstruction is progressing appropriately.