Hyderabad surgeons successfully perform penile reconstruction of 19-year-old Somalian patient

Dr. A.V. Ravi Kumar, Senior Consultant Urologist and Andrologist, and Dr. Dasari Madhu Vinay Kumar, Consultant Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Anusha, Cluster head, Medicover Hopsitals along with the Patient and his Aunt
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A team of surgeons at Medicover Hospitals, Hyderabad, have successfully reconstructed a functional penis of a 19-year-old patient from Somalia who lost his genitalia due to a circumcision-related infection when he was four-years-old. The highly complex microvascular procedure, performed over multiple stages, has not only restored his ability to urinate normally but also allowed him to regain sexual function, said doctors.

The patient had endured severe physical and emotional distress for years, compounded by unsuccessful attempts to find a solution in multiple countries. He arrived at Medicover Hospitals a year ago, seeking help. Upon evaluation, doctors discovered that an infection from his childhood circumcision had caused extensive damage, leading to the loss of his penis and blockage in his urinary passage due to the formation of stones.

A multidisciplinary team led by Dr. A.V. Ravi Kumar, Senior Consultant Urologist and Andrologist, and Dr. Dasari Madhu Vinay Kumar, Consultant Reconstructive and Cosmetic Surgeon, devised a meticulous surgical plan. The first stage of treatment involved clearing the urinary obstruction by removing the stones and treating the infection. Once stabilised, the team proceeded with the complex penile reconstruction surgery, using skin, arteries, veins and tissue from the patient’s forearm, a preferred donor site due to its resemblance to penile skin. While the thigh is also an option, it was deemed unsuitable in this case due to the bulkiness of the tissue, making shaping difficult, said Dr Ravi Kumar.

During the 10-hour microvascular surgery, skin, nerves, blood vessels, and tissue from the forearm were harvested and transplanted to reconstruct a new penis. Surgeons carefully connected arteries and veins to ensure proper blood flow, while a separate urinary passage was created from the scrotal region. To facilitate urination, a functional urethra was reconstructed, and silicone rods were implanted to allow for erections. This two-stage procedure also aimed to restore sensation gradually.

Dr. Vinay Kumar confirmed that the patient is now able to pass urine normally highlighting that penile implants have been placed successfully, enabling the patient to achieve normal sexual function. The patient, who has undergone three to four surgeries over the past year, is now ready for discharge.