Penile paraffinoma: A surgical challenge

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The authors share their experience on four different cases of penile paraffinoma surgically treated at the Bicol Medical Center from January 2011 - September 2014. METHODOLOGY: Four patients with subcutaneous injection of foreign body (Vaseline, petroleum jelly or Baby oil) into their penises were treated. The authors applied two kinds of technique anterolateral thigh pedicle flap and scrotal advancement flap, depending on the skin defect after excision of the paraffinoma. Outcomes measured were immediate post-operative complications (flap necrosis, hematoma, infection) and 3 months post-operative follow-up (contracture, pain on erection, improvement in sexual function and acceptable cosmetic appearance). RESULTS: All patients had a relatively uneventful post-operative course. There were no instances of flap necrosis, bleeding, hematoma or dysuria. Morbidity was minimal and no secondary surgical intervention was done. All had acceptable cosmetic appearance based on the satisfaction of both the patients and the surgeons. All reported decrease in pain during erection, except for one, who underwent scrotal advancement flap, complaining of vague penoscrotal pain when his penis was erect. CONCLUSION: Penile paraffinoma remains a reconstructive surgical challenge requiring application of varying techniques depending on the pre-operative foreign body involvement.