Cosmetic male genital surgery: a narrative review.

Background and Objective: Through the centuries the appearance of the male genitalia has always been an important concern for men, symbolizing virility, potency and sexual contentment. Correction of perceived deficiencies and deformities of the male genitalia can be addressed by aesthetic surgery as well as the enhancement its external aspect. If the social acceptance of cosmetic surgery, particularly of women's breasts, dates from the early 1950s, male intimate cosmetic surgery emerged from the shadows about 10 years ago with a medical community still very suspicious and reproachful. The present paper aims to describe and discuss the current state of the art regarding male intimate cosmetic surgery. Methods: A narrative review of the literature was performed using publications from January 2000 to September 2022. The publications were retrieved from the PubMed database using Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms and keywords. The authors' goal is to narrate the aesthetic non-surgical and surgical enhancement procedures of the male apparatus. Key Content and Findings: This narrative review examines the diverse procedures associated with male genitalia aesthetics. Conclusions: Aesthetics of the male genitalia is now an unavoidable and important part of aesthetic surgery worldwide with an increasing demand. Nonsurgical and surgical techniques described in the literature should be reviewed.

Anatomical Study of the Penile Suspensory System: A Surgical Application to Micropenis.

Penile enlargement surgery is the second most desired cosmetic procedure in men worldwide. The mainstay of penile lengthening procedures is a partial release of the penile suspensory ligament system. Concerns regarding erect penis stability after this procedure have been raised by the surgical community. This study describes the anatomical features of the penile suspensory ligament system and explores the stability mechanisms of the penis. Methods: This study is subdivided in two parts: an anatomical analysis and a clinical analysis. The anatomical part consists of a dissection of eight male cadavers to describe the anatomy and test the stability after sectioning successively the suspensory ligaments. The clinical part consists of an analysis of 30 patients with micropenis operated on for penile lengthening by a penile suspensory ligament release and lipofilling. Results: The suspensory apparatus consists of four distinct ligamentous structures: fundiform, suspensory, dense vertical, and arcuate ligaments. These different structures are lax superficially but become firm and tense posteriorly. The section of the fundiform and suspensory ligaments did not destabilize the penis. Conclusion: Penile lengthening by way of cautious suspensory ligament release can be performed without erection instability.

Chronic isolated radial head dislocation in adults: Technical note and literature review.

Isolated traumatic radial head dislocation is exceedingly rare in adults, usually diagnosed on an emergency basis, and reduced by external manoeuvres. If the diagnosis is not made immediately, external reduction is no longer feasible. Various options have been described for treating these chronic forms, including therapeutic abstention, radial head resection and annular ligamentoplasty combined, if appropriate, with osteotomy of the ulna. In patients with incapacitating symptoms, proposing a surgical option makes sense. Here, we describe the technique developed by PM Grammont, which combines ligamentoplasty and an oblique flat osteotomy of the ulna. We used this technique in a 31-year-old male with isolated anterior dislocation of the radial head of 3 months' duration. One year after surgery, he had fully recovered range of motion in all planes. He returned to work 5 months after surgery. The promising clinical and radiological outcomes in our patient support the use of this technique in adults with chronic isolated radial head dislocation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Curvilinear Multiplanar Reconstruction to Predict Useful Length and Diameter of Cochlear Lumen for Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the useful length and the diameter of the cochlear lumen (CL) using routine imaging before cochlear implantation to study inter-individual variability and its impact on the insertion depth of the electrode carrier (EC). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Thirty-one preoperative and postimplantation temporal bone CT scans were analyzed by two investigators. INTERVENTION: Images were analyzed via orthogonal multiplanar reconstruction (Osirix) to measure the lengths of the entire CL and the basal turn. By means of curvilinear reconstruction, the CL was unfolded and the diameters of the CL and of the EC were measured every 2 mm from the round window (RW) to the apex. RESULTS: Very high-inter individual variability was found for the length of the basal turn (RSD > 1000%), the entire CL length (RSD > 800%), and the CL diameter at the RW (RSD > 600%). CL diameter was not correlated to the CL length. The inserted EC/total visible CL length ratio was 1.0 ±â€Š0.12. Reliability of the measures was acceptable for the CL length and the diameter at 16 mm from the RW (Crohnbach's alpha > 0.7, n = 31). CONCLUSION: CL length and diameter can be directly measured in a reliable manner by commercially available tools. These parameters potentially influence the EC insertion and should be assessed before cochlear implant surgery.

Linear relationship between lateralization of the bicipital groove and humeral retroversion and its link with the biepicondylar humeral line. Anatomical study of seventy cadaveric humerus scans.

INTRODUCTION: Morphological studies of the humerus have shown that the position of the bicipital groove varies with the individual and the retroversion of the humeral head. Depending on the authors, these two parameters are independent or associated. This study evaluated the relationship between the humeral head axis and its retroversion and the bicipital groove relative to the humeral biepicondylar line. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy cadaveric humeri were scanned to obtain 3D reconstructions. Views of the 3D reconstruction from above showed the bicondylar line, the bicipital groove and the humeral head on a single image. After measuring the humeral retroversion angle and the bicipital groove angle relative to the bicondylar line, we assessed the relationship between these two angles with Pearson's correlation coefficient. RESULTS: Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated a significant linear correlation between the angle of the groove and the angle of humeral retroversion based on the 70 cadaveric humeral bones (the p-value was 7.510-7, the correlation coefficient was -0.5515, and the 95% confidence interval was (-0.6962; -0.3636)). Our study thus demonstrates that the less lateralized the bicipital groove is, the greater the humeral retroversion will be. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated a linear relationship between humeral head retroversion and bicipital groove lateralization. Within our reliability interval, this relationship can be used in clinical practice to evaluate retroversion without resorting to CT of the entire humerus.

Determination of a new computed tomography method for measuring the glenoid version and comparing with a reference method. Radio-anatomical and retrospective study.

PURPOSE: In the literature, there are several techniques for measuring the glenoidal version of the scapula. The superiority of the scannographic measurement over the standard radiologic measures seems evident. The main problems are the evaluation and the reproducibility of these methods, which are dependent on the quality of the CT scan and the orientation of its sections. We pinpoint a simple method of the "scapular triangle", the reliability of which deserves special consideration. The aim of this study is to report a simple and reproducible computed tomography method to measure the glenoidal version. METHODS: Thrity-one shoulder CT scans, performed on patients attending the emergency department of the University Hospital of Dijon between January 2012 and April 2013 for shoulder trauma, were evaluated retrospectively. The CT scan must include the entire body of scapula to allow measurements to be made with both methods: the conventional method of Friedman and our new method of the "scapular triangle". Two independent operators performed inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility. We compared both techniques with Pearson's test. RESULT: Pearson's test showed a trend line according to a linear correlation between the two methods with a p value of 7.791(-10) and a correlation coefficient of 0.85 with the 95% confidence interval (0.7213; 0.929). CONCLUSION: The method of the "scapular triangle" is easily applicable on most sections of the CT scan of scapula whether or not it takes the whole body. It is more reliable and reproducible and could be used by any radiologist.

Unilateral duplication of the acromioclavicular joint: case report and literature review.

Clavicle duplication is a rare anatomical variation of the scapular belt: only seven cases have been reported in the literature to date, and only one took note of the existence of a duplication of the acromioclavicular joint. Two hypotheses have been proposed to interpret this variation: genetic factors, or trauma occurred in the growth period. Clavicle duplication should not be mistaken for a quite frequent coracoclavicular joint widely described. The authors report the case of a left acromioclavicular joint duplication in a 51-year-old male patient presenting with left shoulder pain. This case was the first of literature providing 3D CT-scan images.

Accessory soleus muscle: a difficult diagnosis: a case report and a review of the literature.

In this article, we report the case of a patient with a symptomatic accessory soleus muscle with an atypical clinical presentation. As the existence of this accessory muscle went unrecognized for a long time, various diagnoses of the patient's condition were made. Initially, the patient was treated for muscle strain and compartment syndrome, but the second MRI revealed the accessory muscle and led to appropriate diagnosis and surgical treatment.

CT-scan imaging of iron marked chorda tympani nerve: anatomical study and educational perspectives.

The chorda tympani nerve (CTN) is the last collateral branch of the facial nerve in its third intraosseous portion just over the stylomastoid foramen. After a curved course against the medial aspect of the tympanum where it is likely to be injured in middle ear surgery, CTN reaches the lingual nerve in the infratemporal fossa. Knowledge of CTN topographic anatomy is not easily achieved by the students because of the deep location of this thin structure. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial relationships of the CTN in the infratemporal fossa. Therefore, ten nerves were dissected in five fresh cadavers. All the nerves were catheterized with a 3/0 wire. After a meticulous repositioning of surrounding structures, standard X-ray and CT scan examinations were performed with multiplanar acquisitions and three-dimensional surface rendering reconstructions. Ventral projection of the CTN corresponded to the middle of the maxillary sinus. Lateral landmark was the mandibular condyle. The CTN was present and unique in all the dissections. The average length of the nerve, as measured on CT scans, was 31.8 mm (29-34, standard deviation of 1.62); the anastomosis of the CTN to the lingual nerve was located at a mean 24.9 mm below the skull base (24-27, standard deviation of 0.99), approximately in the same horizontal plane as the lower part of the mandibular notch. The acute angle opened dorsally and cranially between CTN and LN measured mean 63.2° (60-65, standard deviation of 1.67). Three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions using surface rendering technique provided realistic educational support at the students' disposal.

Flexibility of Thiel's embalmed cadavers: the explanation is probably in the muscles.

INTRODUCTION: The flexibility of cadavers conserved using Thiel's embalming method remains unexplained. We aimed to perform microscopic comparison of muscle and tendon fibres from fresh cadavers (FC), formaldehyde-preserved cadavers (FPC) and cadavers conserved by Thiel's method (TC). METHODS: Muscle and tendon biopsies performed on FC, FPC and TC were conditioned and stained by Masson's trichrome, Sirius red and Ramon y Cajal, then studied under optical microscope. Alignment and integrity of the muscle and tendon fibres were studied. RESULTS: We observed a modification of the muscle fibres in all specimens from TC, regardless of the type of staining used. The muscle fibres taken from FC and FPC were relatively well conserved, both in terms of alignment and integrity. We did not observe any modification of collagen in either muscle or tendon fibres. CONCLUSIONS: The considerable fragmentation of the muscle proteins, probably caused by certain corrosive chemicals, (e.g. boric acid) present in Thiel's embalming solution, could explain the suppleness of the TC. However, we cannot exclude the possibility of alterations in tendon or muscle collagen, since the experimental methods we used, did not allow for the study of collagen ultrastructure.

Is Thiel's embalming method widely known? A world survey about its use.

INTRODUCTION: Thiel's embalming technique, first described by Thiel in 1992, conserves texture and colour in cadavers close to that observed in the living. It would appear that few anatomy laboratories use this method, and literature describing its use worldwide is sparse. The aim of our study was to conduct a worldwide survey on the use of this method. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent out by mail to 311 anatomy laboratories or institutes across the five continents. There were six multiple choice questions to assess the level of awareness of Thiel's method, the frequency of its use among respondent institutions, the most frequently used solutions for conservation of cadavers and perceived obstacles to the use of Thiel's technique. RESULTS: 109/311 (35%) centres replied to the questionnaire; 56% of centres had previously heard of Thiel's technique, but only 11 centres (10% of respondents) used it regularly, and all of these were in Europe. Formalin remains the most widely used conservation solution around the world. CONCLUSIONS: Thiel's embalming technique is not widely known, and therefore, little used. The main obstacle to its wider use is likely the language barrier, since most of the publications describing Thiel's method are in German, which is not widely spoken outside of a few European countries.

A simple method to locate mandibular foramen: preliminary radiological study.

INTRODUCTION: The position of mandibular foramen is variable at the medial aspect of mandibular ramus. Nevertheless its location is useful for the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in orthognatic surgery, especially in vertical ramus osteotomy (VRO) procedure. The aim of our study is to analyse the position of mandibular foramen in order to provide simple and reliable surgical landmarks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A radio-anatomical study was undertaken on normal mandibular panoramic X-ray examinations. Precise reproductions were outlined on tracing paper. Original orthonormal landmark was designed using posterior border of the ramus, mandibular incisure and anterior border of the ramus. All these elements are visible in the patient in VRO. Measurements of the position of mandibular foramen in horizontal and vertical dimensions were then performed with a ruler by two independent observers: l (width of mandibular branch), x (distance between posterior border of the ramus and mandibular foramen), h (height of mandibular branch) and y (distance between sigmoid notch and mandibular ramus). x/l and y/h ratios were calculated in order to minimise magnifications and image distortions due to the imaging process. RESULTS: Forty-six panoramic X-rays were analysed, including 24 male and 22 female specimens (sex-ratio 1.1/1) with the mean-age 21 years. In vertical dimension, y/h ratio was distributed on a gaussian mode with a peak around 0.30-0.35, mandibular foramen was located around the midpoint of the inferior two-thirds and the superior third of the ramus, preferentially under this point. In horizontal dimension, x/l ratio observed the same model with a peak around 0.35; mandibular foramen was located around the midpoint of the anterior two-thirds and the posterior third of the ramus, preferentially in front of this point. Mandibular foramen was situated in the ventral and inferior two-thirds of the ramus without difference according to the side, sex or age. DISCUSSION: Posterior and superior thirds of the ramus constitute a "safety zone" where mandibular foramen is unlikely to be found. This area can be used by the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in vertical ramus osteotomy of the mandible with low inferior alveolar nerve morbidity probability.

Posterior perilunate carpal dislocation associated with a multifragmentary distal radius fracture.

Dorsal perilunate wrist dislocations are rare. Associated carpal bones or radial styloid process fractures can occur and be included in the current classifications. The authors report an unusual association of dorsal perilunate wrist dislocation with a multifragmentary distal radius fracture. Such traumatic entity has never been previously described. Poor functional outcome may justify the inclusion of associated complex forearm bone fractures in wrist dislocation classifications.

Open reduction and internal fixation of low subcondylar fractures of mandible through high cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the functional and radiologic results of low subcondylar fracture fixation with modus TCP plates (Medartis, Basel, Switzerland) using a high cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was designed, enrolling all minimum-aged 15-year-old echomorphology patients presenting with displaced low subcondylar fracture with occlusion disturbances during a 41-month period. All fractures were fixed with modus TCP plates using high cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach. All patients underwent immediate physiotherapy and a 6-week liquid and semiliquid feeding period. Clinical and radiologic examinations were performed at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. A total of 35 patients presenting with 38 fractures were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 17 months. RESULTS: All fractures had healed at 6 months in the correct anatomic position in 73.7%. Occlusion was deemed normal in 80% of the patients. The mandibular movement was normal in 97.1%, with the mouth opening up to 40 mm, mean lateral movement of 11 mm without a difference between the 2 sides, and a mean protrusion of 12 mm. Minimal asymmetry remained in 15.6%. No facial palsy occurred, including no transient facial palsy. Complications consisted of 1 infection and 1 plate fracture requiring surgical revision. CONCLUSIONS: Low subcondylar fracture fixation with modus TCP plates using a high cervical transmasseteric anteroparotid approach is a safe and reproducible procedure providing excellent functional results. This procedure has been routinely performed in our department.

Comparison of fresh and Thiel's embalmed cadavers according to the suitability for ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia of the cervical region.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasound-guided punctures are a new technique in anesthesia. However, training in these techniques requires conditions resembling real life as far as possible for learning purposes. Several models are available, but none associates realistic anatomy and lifelike sensations of the passage of fascias. The aim of our study was to compare fresh and Thiel's embalmed cadavers for ultrasound-guided punctures. METHODS: Eight fresh cadavers and eight Thiel's embalmed cadavers were investigated. The cervical region was scanned with an ultrasound probe. Age, sex and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Visibility of he structures, including sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle, anterior and middle scalene muscles, thyroid gland, nerve and the needle, was evaluated as 0 (not visible or bad visibility) or 1 (good visibility). The feeling ("pop") of passing the fascias was noted as 0 (not felt) or 1 (felt). The possibility of nerve displacement with the needle, the difficulty of intraneural injection and the possibility of nerve penetration and nerve swelling were all recorded as 0 (not possible) or 1 (possible). RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in terms of sex, age and BMI. Visibility of the SCM muscle and the needle was better in the Thiel group. Moreover, the "pop" feeling and nerve swelling were significantly more frequently present in the Thiel group. There was no significant difference in terms of the other results between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Cadavers embalmed according to Thiel's method should be recommended for ultrasound-guided punctures as a realistic and lifelike model.

Spatial relationships between lingual nerve and mandibular ramus: original study method, clinical and educational applications.

Lingual nerve damage complicating oral surgery would sometimes require electrographic exploration. Nevertheless, direct recording of conduction in lingual nerve requires its puncture at the foramen ovale. This method is too dangerous to be practiced routinely in these diagnostic indications. The aim of our study was to assess spatial relationships between lingual nerve and mandibular ramus in the infratemporal fossa using an original technique. Therefore, ten lingual nerves were dissected on five fresh cadavers. All the nerves were catheterized with a 3/0 wire. After meticulous repositioning of the nerve and medial pterygoid muscle reinsertion, CT-scan examinations were performed with planar acquisitions and three-dimensional reconstructions. Localization of lingual nerve in the infratemporal fossa was assessed successively at the level of the sigmoid notch of the mandible, lingula and third molar. At the level of the lingula, lingual nerve was far from the maxillary vessels; mean distance between the nerve and the anterior border of the ramus was 19.6 mm. The posteriorly opened angle between the medial side of the ramus and the line joining the lingual nerve and the anterior border of the ramus measured 17 degrees . According to these findings, we suggest that the lingual nerve might be reached through the intra-oral puncture at the intermaxillary commissure; therefore, we modify the inferior alveolar nerve block technique to propose a safe and reproducible protocol likely to be performed routinely as electrographic exploration of the lingual nerve. What is more, this original study protocol provided interesting educational materials and could be developed for the conception of realistic 3D virtual anatomy supports.

A new anatomical technique to investigate nerves by imagery.

INTRODUCTION: We describe a novel post mortem technique that makes it possible to visualise the nerve structure of the brachial plexus using imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We dissected in situ the brachial plexus of a cadaver preserved by formaldehyde. A preparation composed of a mixture of baryte powder, water and colorant, was applied to all sides of the brachial plexus and blood vessels of the region under study. A high resolution CT scan was performed. With the aid of Mimics (Materialise) software, segmentation of all the nerve and vascular structures on each of the 650 slices obtained was performed. The Mimics software then compiled all the slices to generate a 3-dimensional STL image. RESULTS: The image obtained was printed with a stereolythography printer, to produce a plastic model representing part of the cervico-thoracic spinal cord, the ribs, sternum, scapula, humerus, and clavicle, with the left brachial plexus and the subclavian, axillary and brachial veins and arteries. CONCLUSIONS: This technique has the potential for a wide range of uses: for teaching anatomy, to improve teaching of medical techniques, 3-dimensional modelisation of other nerve structures. The advantage is that the model obtained is a faithful and realistic reproduction.