Surgical Management of Chronic Lymphedema of Penis and Scrotum

Na, Woong; Park, Chong Won; Im, Jong Ryul; Lee, Jong Bouk; Chung, Han

Abstract

Chronic lymphedema of the penis and scrotum is a rare disease in Korea. Lymphedema can be defined as an accumulation of excessive lymph, proteins, chronic inflammation, edema and fibrosis, secondary to the impairment of the lymph vessels, which can be classified into primary, which is the result of inadequate drainage of lymph caused by agenesis and hypogenesis of lymph vessels, and secondary, which could be due to an obstruction or interruption of the lymphatic system, caused by malignancies, post-operative, post-radiation fibrosis, infection, trauma or excision. The treatment method for a lymphedema of the genitalia is determined by cause, which is crucial to the natural course of the disease. In contrast to a primary lymphedema without soft tissue changes and injury, which could be treated conservatively, surgical excision is the best method to treat a chronic lymphedema with soft tissue changes. In this article, a case of penile and scrotal chronic lymphedema of unknown cause, treated with surgical methods, is reported.