Suprapubic pedicled phalloplasty in transgender men: a multicentric retrospective cohort analysis

Marco Falcone, Massimiliano Timpano, Marco Oderda, Andrea Cocci, Girolamo Morelli, Mirko Preto, Chiara Polito, Ivan Russo Giorgio, Gideon Blecher, Paolo Gontero

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21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A variety of approaches are available to address a genital gender affirming surgery (GGAS) in transgender men. The aim of the present study is to report surgical and functional outcomes after a suprapubic pedicled phalloplasty (SPP). From November 2008 to August 2018, a consecutive series of 34 patients underwent an SPP in two tertiary referral centers. GGAS was conducted as a multistaged procedure, consisting (1) SPP with subsequent radial artery-based forearm free-flap urethroplasty, (2) glans sculpting, urethral anastomosis, and scrotoplasty, and (3) penile prosthesis implantation. The duration of surgery, intra and postoperative complications, and hospital stay were selected as variables for surgical outcomes. Functional outcomes were extrapolated from a four-item questionnaire.A partial necrosis of phallus was detected in two cases (5.8 %). Two cases of seroma formation with wound dehiscence (5.8%) were detected. Overall, 89% of patients declared to be fully satisfied of the SPP, 83% would recommend the procedure to someone else, and 89% would undergo the same procedure again. Overall, 66% of patients could achieve an orgasm during sexual penetrative intercourses. The retrospective design, the lack of randomization and validated questionnaire for outcomes reporting, and the limited follow-up represent the main drawbacks of our study. Our evidences suggest that SPP represents as an acceptable option for GGAS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)808-814
Number of pages7
JournalInternational Journal of Impotence Research
Volume33
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

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