Scrotoplasty
| Scrotoplasty | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Oscheoplasty |
| Specialty | Plastic surgery |
Scrotoplasty, also known as oscheoplasty, is surgery to create or repair a scrotum. There are a variety of reasons why scrotoplasty is done. Some trans men and intersex or non-binary people who were assigned female at birth may choose to have this surgery to create a scrotum (gender-affirmation scrotoplasty), as part of their transition. This can be done together with removing the vagina (vaginectomy), having surgical changes made to their clitoris to make it more penis-like (metoidioplasty), and/or building a full-size penis (phalloplasty). It is possible to create a scrotum and keep the vagina, and there are trans people who have done so.[1] Other reasons for this procedure include addressing scrotal issues present at birth, due to aging, or caused by medical conditions that alter the scrotum such as infection.[2]
Conditions in need of scrotoplasty
- Buried penis is a condition when the penis of a young infant is attached to their scrotum with an excess of skin. Scrotoplasty can be done to cut away extra skin and reshape their scrotum.
- Penoscrotal webbing is a condition when the skin connecting the penis to the scrotum extends along the underside of the penis shaft like a web. This condition is easily confused with buried penis. Scrotoplasty procedure involves in making incision in the fuse part between the penis and scrotum then reconstruct the scrotum.[3]
- Fournier's gangrene, trauma and burn can cause damage to scrotal skin. Scrotoplasty in these conditions is to remove necrotic skin and reconstruct the scrotum to restore its function.[4]
- Some trans men and intersex or non-binary people who were assigned female at birth may choose to have this surgery to create a scrotum from existing tissue, as part of their Female-To-Male transition.[5]
- There are many reasons that can cause scrotal sagging such as natural aging, varicocele, hydrocele, and cancer patients. Scrotoplasty, in particular scrotal lift, is an option to remove excess loose scrotal skin, tighten, and reduce the size of the scrotum in order to reduce discomfort and improve appearance.
Procedure
Typically, when a trans man or transmasculine person has a scrotoplasty, the labia majora (the big lips of the vulva) are dissected to form hollow cavities and united into an approximation of a scrotum.
If there is not enough skin to make a scrotum, then the surgeon may use some sort of tissue expansion prior to the operation. This can be done by putting expanders under the skin. Over the course of a few months, more saltwater (saline) will be occasionally added to the expanders through a port on the outside. This helps the skin expand and grow more skin. Each expansion procedure is done in an outpatient hospital visit. The patient does not have to stay overnight in the hospital, but will have to stay near the hospital, and return several times.[6]
Later, silicone prosthetic testicles can be put in. These can be inserted through small cuts to fill the new scrotum. If expanders were used, they are no longer needed by this point. Then the skin is closed up around the artificial testicles.[6]
Artificial testicles only give a shape, and they do not create semen, sperm, or hormones. With today's technology, it is not yet possible to create testicles that do so.
Complications
People who are candidates for angioplasty need to be educated on the associated risks and complications before the procedure. Complications to scrotoplasty primarily deal with testicular implants. If they are too big, there is chance that the implants could feel uncomfortable, or be a cause of chronic pain.[6] Another complication is that the implant could erode the skin of the scrotum. This can cause infection, or an abnormal connection between two body parts (a fistula) where the implant may work its way outside the body.[6]
There have been advancements in the surgical techniques. However, the risk of recurrent condition still exists. In addition, the cosmetic results might not be satisfactory to some people after surgery.[7] Another factor to consider is the loss of sensation in the scrotal area due to the nature of the procedure which can involve removal of genital tissues.[7]
Other complications are those that are typical for any surgery, such as blood loss, infection, or problems with anesthesia.
Cost
A scrotoplasty for a trans man or transmasculine person typically costs around US$3,000 to $5,000.[6] These costs can be covered by health insurance, though the patient must communicate a great deal with their insurance in order to make certain that it will.
See also
References
- ^ Salgado CJ, Yu K, Lalama MJ (December 2021). "Vaginal and reproductive organ preservation in trans men undergoing gender-affirming phalloplasty: technical considerations". Journal of Surgical Case Reports. 2021 (12): rjab553. doi:10.1093/jscr/rjab553. PMC 8714364. PMID 34987754.
- ^ "Scrotoplasty: What It Is, Procedure, Risks & Benefits". Cleveland Clinic.
- ^ Lucas JW, Lester KM, Chen A, Simhan J (August 2017). "Scrotal reconstruction and testicular prosthetics". Translational Andrology and Urology. 6 (4): 710–721. doi:10.21037/tau.2017.07.06. PMC 5583055. PMID 28904904.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Schifano N, Castiglione F, Cakir OO, Montorsi F, Garaffa G (May 2022). "Reconstructive surgery of the scrotum: a systematic review". International Journal of Impotence Research. 34 (4): 359–368. doi:10.1038/s41443-021-00468-x. PMID 34635818. S2CID 238586767.
- ^ Frey JD, Poudrier G, Chiodo MV, Hazen A (March 2017). "An Update on Genital Reconstruction Options for the Female-to-Male Transgender Patient: A Review of the Literature". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 139 (3): 728–737. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000003062. PMID 28234856.
- ^ a b c d e Erickson-Schroth L, ed. (2014). Trans Bodies, Trans Selves: A Resource for the Transgender Community. Oxford University Press. p. 282.
- ^ a b Pestana IA, Greenfield JM, Walsh M, Donatucci CF, Erdmann D (October 2009). "Management of "buried" penis in adulthood: an overview". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 124 (4): 1186–1195. doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181b5a37f. PMID 19935302. S2CID 36775257.
Further reading
- Por YC, Tan BK, Hong SW, Chia SJ, Cheng CW, Foo CL, Tan KC (August 2003). "Use of the scrotal remnant as a tissue-expanding musculocutaneous flap for scrotal reconstruction in Paget's disease". Annals of Plastic Surgery. 51 (2): 155–60. doi:10.1097/01.SAP.0000058501.64655.31. PMID 12897518. S2CID 9488906.