Surgical Outcomes of Glansectomy and Split Thickness Skin Graft Reconstruction for Localized Penile Cancer

Urology. 2021 Jun:152:195. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2021.03.022. Epub 2021 Apr 1.

Abstract

Introduction: The management of localized penile cancer is based on organ-sparing approaches. Our aim is to report surgical outcomes of glansectomy (GS) and split thickness skin graft (STSG) reconstruction in a consecutive series of penile cancers.

Patients and methods: Patients with a localized penile cancer underwent GS and STSG reconstruction in tertiary referral center. Data were extrapolated from a single center prospective database starting from May 2013 to August 2019. Two different techniques are presented in the video abstract: - a standard GS with dissection over the Bucks' fascia. - a salvage GS with dissection under Bucks' fascia.

Results: A total of 34 patients were enrolled. 30 patients underwent a standard GS, whether a salvage GS was performed in the remainders. The apex of corpora cavernosa was transected in 5 cases due to suspicious of local invasion. Median follow-up was 12 (12-41) months. Operative time was 150 (105-180) minutes. Hospital stay was 2 (1-3) days. A modified TODGA compressive dressing and a catheter were applied and left in place for 5 days. After that a saline washing was used for 2 weeks. The incidence of intraoperative complications was minimal (2.9%). Positive surgical margins were detected in 2.9% of cases, requiring a salvage surgery. The incidence of postoperative complications was 29.4%: 11.7% were classified as Grade 1, 8.8% as Grade 2 and 8.8% as Grade 3a according to Clavien-Dindo classification. 1-year recurrence free-survival (RFS) was 88.2%. 1-y cancer-specific (CSS) and overall survival (OS) resulted 91.2% in both cases. Limitations of the study were the retrospective and single centre nature of the study, the lack of comparative group, the limited number of cases and of follow-up.

Conclusions: GS and STSG reconstruction represents a safe procedure burden by a low incidence of postoperative complications providing a satisfactory cancer control, with a minimal risk of local recurrence.

Publication types

  • Video-Audio Media

MeSH terms

  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Margins of Excision
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / prevention & control
  • Organ Sparing Treatments / adverse effects
  • Organ Sparing Treatments / methods
  • Penile Neoplasms / mortality
  • Penile Neoplasms / pathology
  • Penile Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Penis / pathology
  • Penis / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology*
  • Postoperative Complications / etiology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Skin Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Skin Transplantation / methods*
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / adverse effects
  • Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / methods*