Penile torsion repair by suturing tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new technique to repair penile torsion in children. Methods: Eighteen boys with penile torsion were evaluated in our department from 1989 to 2003. Eleven had associated hypospadias, 4 had chordee without hypospadias, and 3 had torsion only. The direction of rotation was counterclockwise in 16 cases and clockwise in 2 cases. Torsion was repaired in 6 patients by degloving the penis and reattaching the dartos and the skin (comparative group). In 11 patients (1 with prior repair), the torsion was corrected by suturing the lateral edge of the corpus cavernosum to the pubic periosteum (study group). Two patients were not treated. Result: Follow-up ranges from 6 months to 7 years. All of the 11 cases in the study group had satisfactory correction of the penile torsion. All of the urethroplasties for hypospadias were successful. In the comparative group, none of 6 patients had satisfactory correction of the rotation. Conclusion: The technique of degloving the penis and reattaching the skin cannot reliably correct penile torsion in our experience. Lateral suturing of tunica albuginea to the pubic periosteum to repair penile torsion appears to be a better technique. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.