Fenestrated sheet split-thickness skin grafting for reconstruction of penile skin loss in pediatric population.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to evaluate our experience with fenestrated sheet split-thickness skin grafts (STSGs) in the pediatric population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 17 children 2-18years old who underwent skin grafting owing to circumcision injuries (2 patients), traumatic penile injury (1) and after previous multiple hypospadias surgery (14). Fenestrated 0.012in sheet STSGs from thigh area (15 patients) and buttock area (2) were fashioned to resurface the denuded penis following reconstruction. The median follow up was 13years (range 1-19years).

RESULTS: There was 94% take of the grafts. One patient required additional grafting following first graft infection. Six patients underwent concomitant surgery at the time of grafting (4 chordee repair and 2 meatoplasty). Two patients had slight chordee at 3 and 6years postoperatively, and 2 with the history of preputial tubularized island flap hypospadias repair had developed a urethral stricture, which required staged repair with buccal mucosa 12 and 14years following primary hypospadias repair. Six sexually active patients reported normal sexual intercourse and sensation following grafting. None of the patients demonstrated shrinkage of the STSGs over the follow up period.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that the use of fenestrated sheet STSGs in patients with penile skin loss yields satisfactory functional and cosmetic outcomes. The buttocks might be considered as a preferable donor site in terms of avoiding a visible scar.