Tissue engineering for penile corpora cavernosa defects requires microvascular system reconstruction.GelMA hydrogels show promise for tissue regeneration. However, using stem cells faces challenges such as immune rejection, limited proliferation and differentiation, and biosafety concerns. Therefore, acellular tissue regeneration may avoid these issues. Exosomes are used from muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs) to modify 3D-printed hydrogel scaffolds for acellular tissue regeneration. Hypoxia-preconditioned MDSC-derived exosomes are obtained to enhance the therapeutic effect. In contrast to normoxic exosomes (N-Exos), hypoxic exosomes (H-Exos) are found to markedly enhance the proliferation, migration, and capillary-like tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). High-throughput sequencing analysis of miRNAs isolated from both N-Exos and H-Exos revealed a significant upregulation of miR-21-5p in H-Exos following hypoxic preconditioning. Further validation demonstrated that the miR-21-5p/PDCD4 pathway promoted the proliferation of HUVECs. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is introduced to improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of GelMA hydrogels. EGCG-GelMA scaffolds loaded with different types of Exos are transplanted to repair rabbit penile corpora cavernosa defects, observed the blood flow and repair status of the defect site through color Doppler ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and ultimately restored the rabbit penile erection function and successfully bred offspring. Thus, acellular hydrogel scaffolds offer an effective treatment for penile corpora cavernosa defects.

Objective We aimed to evaluate both the long-term surgical outcomes and patient-reported outcomes of free scapular flap (FSF) phalloplasty. Method The same surgical team performed phalloplasty in 66 patients using a FSF between March 2000 and September 2018. All patients had at least 24 months of follow-up. The surgical techniques used, complications observed, and surgical and patient-reported outcomes were retrospectively described. Results A total of 66 patients with indications of penile trauma (n = 19), micropenis (n = 42), and self-amputation (n = 5) underwent FSF phalloplasty. Two patients (3%) had total flap necrosis and 1 (1.5%) had partial flap necrosis. The urethral complication rate was 18.2% (12/66 patients). All patients were able to void while standing after revision procedures or urethroplasty. We found that an FSF is a reliable donor site for penile reconstruction. Conclusion The FSF phalloplasty creates an esthetically pleasing penis and allows voiding while standing. Most patients can engage in sexual activity. The main drawbacks of using this method are that patients experience different degrees of sensory recovery, and patients undergoing surgery with the \"tube-in-tube\" technique may find they are be limited by the thickness of the flap. However, by making full use of residual tissue, such as the micropenis glans or scrotal skin, patients can obtain good tactile and erogenous sensation. We believe that using an FSF complements the existing phalloplasty techniques.
RésuméObjectif Les chercheurs ont voulu évaluer les résultats chirurgicaux à long terme et les résultats cliniques déclarés par les patients d’une phalloplastie par lambeau scapulaire libre (LSL). Méthodologie La même équipe chirurgicale a effectué la phalloplastie de 66 patients au moyen d’un LSL entre mars 2000 et septembre 2018. Ceux-ci ont tous reçu un suivi d’au moins 24 mois. Les chercheurs ont décrit rétrospectivement les techniques chirurgicales utilisés, les complications observées et les résultats chirurgicaux et cliniques déclarés par les patients. Résultat Au total, 66 patients ayant des indications de traumatisme pénien (n=19), un micropénis (n=42) et une auto-amputation (n=5) ont subi une phalloplastie par LSL. Deux patients (3 %) ont subi une nécrose totale du lambeau et un (1,5 %) une nécrose partielle du lambeau. Le taux de complications urétrales s’est élevé à 18,2 % (12 patients sur 66). Tous les patients étaient en mesure d’uriner debout après les interventions de révision ou l’urétroplastie. Les chercheurs ont constaté que la région scapulaire est un siège de donneur fiable pour la reconstruction pénienne. Conclusion La phalloplastie par LSL crée un pénis à l’esthétique agréable, qui permet d’uriner debout. La plupart des patients peuvent se livrer à des activités sexuelles. Les principaux inconvénients de cette méthode proviennent du fait que les patients éprouvent divers degrés de récupération sensorielle et que ceux qui subissent la technique chirurgicale « à double tube » peuvent être limités par l’épaisseur du lambeau. Cependant, grâce au plein usage des tissus résiduels, tels que le gland du micropénis ou la peau du scrotum, les patients peuvent éprouver de bonnes sensations tactiles et érogènes. Les auteurs sont d’avis que l’utilisation du LSL complète les techniques de phalloplastie en place.

Penile amputation is a rare deformity mostly resulting from self-mutilation, felonious assault, or accidental trauma, and penile reconstruction or phalloplasty is necessary when microreplantation cannot be performed. Here we report a rare case of a 42-year-old man with traumatic penile amputation and describe surgical techniques for partial penile reconstruction by using a novel innervated and vascularized radial thenar flap free grafting method. Excellent cosmetic and functional results were reported with no severe complications of dysuria, urethral stricture, and urinary fistula were observed during the 23 months of postoperative follow-up time. It is believed that innervated and vascularized radial thenar flap free grafting is an acceptable treatment option for patients with traumatic penile amputation.

BACKGROUND: Prosthesis-assisted penile reconstruction has been performed extensively to restore a cosmetically acceptable phallus. However, a large number of patients will undergo revision surgery for various prosthesis-related complications.
OBJECTIVE: To develop a 1-stage prosthesis-free dynamic cavernosa reconstruction method using bilateral innervated gracilis muscles and to investigate the feasibility and reliability of the surgical design.
METHODS: 10 fresh cadavers were dissected to assess the availability of bilateral gracilis muscles for functional cavernosa rebuilding. 11 mongrel female dogs were involved in the penile reconstruction surgery. The neophallus consisted of bilateral gracilis muscles as the neo-cavernosa, a right gracilis skin flap as the neourethra, and a lower abdominal flap with an anterior rectus sheath as the skin envelope and neo-tunica albuginea. The function and structure of the neo-phalli were assessed 7 months postoperatively.
METHODS: The neurovascular pedicle length of the gracilis muscles and the volume of the gracilis venter musculi were measured in the cadaveric investigation. The average dimensions of the canine neo-phalli at rest and during electrostimulated erection were obtained and the muscular fatigue-resistant curve was drawn. Histologic evaluations also were performed.
RESULTS: The neurovascular pedicle length and volume of the gracilis muscles were sufficient to yield a nearly normal appearance of the neo-cavernosa in the cadaveric and animal studies. The muscular fatigue-resistant curve demonstrated adequate length, stiffness, and duration of erection of the neo-phalli to accomplish normal coitus. Histologic evaluations showed an intact neourethra and nearly normal muscle structure in the inner layer of the canine neo-cavernosa, except for significantly increased amount of collagen fibers and type I/III collagen ratio in the outer layer of the neo-cavernosa. The percentage of type II (fatigue-prone) muscle fibers did not change significantly.
CONCLUSIONS: Our preclinical investigation proves that corpora cavernosa reconstruction using bilateral innervated gracilis muscles is technically feasible and functionally efficacious. Yin Z, Liu L, Xue B, et al. Dynamic Penile Corpora Cavernosa Reconstruction Using Bilateral Innervated Gracilis Muscles: A Preclinical Investigation. Sex Med 2018;6:162-170.