What are the surgical methods for penile enlargement?

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From the Guidelines

Surgical methods to increase penis size include penile lengthening procedures, girth enhancement surgeries, and penile implants, but these procedures carry significant risks and are often not recommended for purely cosmetic purposes.

Surgical Methods

  • Penile lengthening procedures (suspensory ligament release) can potentially add 1-2 cm in flaccid length, but may not significantly impact erect length 1.
  • Girth enhancement surgeries, such as dermal fat grafting or tissue matrix grafting, can increase penile girth, but may have variable results and risks of complications 1.
  • Penile implants, primarily used for erectile dysfunction, can sometimes provide increased girth, but are not a primary solution for penile lengthening or girth enhancement.

Risks and Considerations

These procedures carry significant risks, including scarring, infection, nerve damage, erectile dysfunction, and unsatisfactory cosmetic results. Many urologists and plastic surgeons advise against these surgeries for purely cosmetic purposes due to the high complication rates and limited evidence of effectiveness 1.

Recovery and Results

Recovery typically requires 4-6 weeks of restricted activity, with full healing taking several months. Patients should understand that results vary significantly, and multiple procedures may be needed to maintain results, particularly with fat grafting which can be partially reabsorbed over time.

Recommendations

Patients should carefully weigh the potential benefits and risks of these procedures and consider alternative options, such as counseling or lifestyle changes, before undergoing surgery. Clinicians should use inflatable penile prosthesis for patients undergoing penile prosthetic surgery for the treatment of Peyronie’s disease, as it allows for modeling to maximize curvature correction 1.

From the Research

Surgical Methods for Penile Augmentation

The following are some surgical methods used to increase the size of the penis:

  • Penile lengthening surgery, which can be achieved through various techniques, including suspensory ligament release 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Tissue grafting and flaps, such as distally based fat flaps, to fill in the dead space created by the suspensory ligament division 3
  • Fat injections to increase penile girth 3
  • Acellular dermal matrix filler in infrapubic space combined with liposuction and penile suspensory release 6
  • "V-Y half-skin half-fat advancement flap" and "T-closure" combined with severing the suspensory ligament to minimize losses in penile lengthening 4
  • Lipofilling combined with penile suspensory ligament release for penile lengthening in patients with micropenis 5

Penile Lengthening Techniques

Some specific techniques used for penile lengthening include:

  • Inverted V-Y plasty followed by a division of the suspensory ligament of the penis 3
  • Release of the suspensory ligament in combination with an inverted V-Y skin plasty 4
  • Partial release of the penile suspensory ligament system 5

Outcomes and Complications

The outcomes and complications of these surgical methods vary, but some studies report:

  • Significant increases in penile length, ranging from 2-4 cm in the flaccid state 3 to 4.3 cm and 2.4 cm post-operatively 6
  • Improvements in sexual self-esteem and functioning 3
  • Potential complications, such as oedema of the penis, ecchymosis of the lower abdomen, and poor wound healing 6

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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