Giant scrotal lymphoedema - A case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Giant Scrotal Lymphoedema is a rare disease. Such Scrotal elephantiasis presents multiple problems both to the patient as well as the treating clinician obstruction, aplasia, or hypoplasia of the lymphatic vessels. The most common cause world wide is lymphatic Filariasis. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a particularly grotesque where the resected scrotal tissue weighed 32 kg which is one of the largest so far mentioned in literature. The lymphoedema was progressive over 8 years duration and the testes were not palpable with the penis deeply buried. DISCUSSION: Scrotum was explored and penis was recovered deep within the pit of lymphoedema. Careful dissection done with cautery to delineate penis circumferentially from the root of scrotal lymphoedema. Foleys catheterisation was done. After the separation of penis scrotal skin flaps were raised on either side by extending the incision horizontally. De bulking of lymphoedema was done and the remaining scrotal skin was closed in Y shaped manner with root of penis in centre. Meticulous technique of dissection, cautery and ligasure use of Ligasure enabled excision with minimal blood loss. CONCLUSION: Once fibrosis sets in resectional therapy will be needed in most cases. Successful reduction scrotoplasty with acceptable cosmetic results can be obtained in giant scrotal lymphoedemas weighing as large as 32 kg as in our case. © 2012 Surgical Associates Ltd.