Penile and scrotal lymphedema associated with hidradenitis suppurativa: Case report and review of surgical options

Complex decongestive therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa-related genital lymphoedema: a case report

Genital lymphoedema is a rare but debilitating and disfiguring complication of longstanding hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Despite the existence of medical and surgical methods that offer varying success rates in a limited number of cases, no data exist about the use of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) in HS-related genital lymphoedema. This case report describes the treatment and outcome of a 56-year-old male patient with severe scrotal lymphoedema due to underlying HS (Hurley stage 3). The patient was unresponsive to various topical and systemic antibiotics and biological agents, including adalimumab and certolizumab pegol. When the patient was assessed, ixekizumab treatment for his HS was planned. He had progressive oedema in the genital area for two years with difficulty in wearing trousers and having sexual intercourse, and painful urination. CDT was recommended for three days a week concurrently with ixekizumab treatment. The patient and his wife were also educated about self-drainage techniques and skincare maintenance. After six sessions of CDT over 14 days, the patient demonstrated a significant reduction in scrotal measurements. He achieved a better scrotal contour, the degree of the buried penis was decreased, and urination was easier and painless. The findings of this case report showed that CDT was an easily applicable, practical and promising method that offered a rapid treatment response for HS-related genital lymphoedema.

Genital Lymphedema after Cancer Treatment: A Narrative Review

Genital lymphedema may affect males and females after cancer treatment (gynecological, such as cervical, uterine or ovarian, melanoma, prostate, anus…). It is frequently associated with lower limb lymphedema, and is responsible for discomfort, cosmetic disfigurement and functional disturbances. Impacts on body image, sexual function and quality of life are major, and difficult to explore because cancer treatment itself and lymphedema are so closely interwoven. Local complications, e.g., papillomatosis, warty growth, lymph vesicles with embarrassing lymph oozing and cellulitis, may occur. Usual lymphedema therapies, like bandaging and elastic compression, are poorly adapted to these sites. Surgery, essentially based on cutaneous resection techniques, is the primary symptomatic treatment; it achieves good efficacy, in adults and children, with possible recurrence requiring reintervention.

'Hanger‑shaped' scrotectomy: A novel technique for the management of penoscrotal lymphedema: A case report

Massive scrotal elephantiasis is a rare disease that usually requires a surgical approach. Lymphedema of the genitalia can have a different presentation that requires different treatment. The present study describes the case of a 43-year-old Caucasian male patient by scrotal elephantiasis of unknown causes with a buried penis. A novel surgical technique was applied for the treatment of massive scrotal elephantiasis and the authors present this single-center experience. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the integrity of the corpora cavernosa, the spermatic cords, as well as the testes. The patient underwent a scrotectomy using a 'hanger-shaped incision' followed by scrotal reconstruction to obtain an adequate cosmetic outcome. The surgical approach to this uncommon disease is referred to as a 'hanger-shaped incision'. As demonstrated herein, this novel technique permits the formation of a trapezoidal cavity that allows the reconstruction of a neo-scrotum, a neo-septum and partially restoring the natural appearance of the genitalia.

Genital Lymphedema and How to Deal with It: Pearls and Pitfalls from over 38 Years of Experience with Unusual Lymphatic System Impairment

Background and Objectives: Conservative treatment represents an essential pillar of lymphedema management, along with debulking and physiologic surgeries. Despite the consistent number of treatment options, there is currently no agreement on their indications and possible combinations. When dealing with unusual lymphedema presentation as in the genitalia (Genital Lymphedema—GL), treatment choice becomes even more difficult. The authors aimed to present their targeted algorithm of single and combined treatment modalities for rare GL in order to face this paucity of information. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from a prospectively maintained database since January 1983, and cases of GL that were managed in the authors’ department were selected. Only patients that were treated in the authors’ institution and presented a minimum follow-up of 3 months were admitted to the current study. Results: From January 1983 to July 2021, 19 patients with GL were recruited. All the patients were male, and their ages ranged from 21 to 73 years old (average: 52). Ten cases (52.6%) presented with ISL (International Society of Lymphology) stage I, five (26.3%) were stage II and four (21.1%) were stage III. GL was managed with conservative treatment (12 cases), LVA (LymphaticoVenous Anastomosis) (3) or surgical excision (4). In a mean follow-up of 7.5 years (range: 3 months—11 years), no major complications occurred, and all cases reached improvements in functional and quality of life terms. Conclusions: Contrary to the predominant thought of the necessity to avoid surgery in unusual lymphedema presentations such as GL, they can be managed using targeted multimodal approaches or by adapting well-known procedures in unusual ways to achieve control of disease progression and improve patients’ quality of life.