What is phalloplasty?

Phalloplasty is a surgical procedure to create a penis. It is typically performed on transgender men, or those who identify as transmasculine, as part of gender confirmation surgery. The procedure can also be performed on cisgender men who have lost their penis due to injury or disease.

There are two main types of phalloplasty:

• Innervated phalloplasty: This type of phalloplasty uses a flap of skin and tissue from the forearm or thigh that is innervated, meaning that it has nerves that can transmit sensation. This allows the person to feel sensation in the penis after surgery.
• Non-innervated phalloplasty: This type of phalloplasty uses a flap of skin and tissue from the abdomen or back that is not innervated. This means that the person will not be able to feel sensation in the penis after surgery.

The specific techniques used in phalloplasty vary depending on the surgeon’s preference and the patient’s individual anatomy. However, the basic steps of the procedure are as follows:

1. The surgeon creates a pocket in the pubic area where the penis will be placed.
2. The flap of skin and tissue is harvested from the donor site.
3. The flap is transferred to the pubic area and attached to the blood vessels and nerves.
4. The urethra is reconstructed.
5. The penis is dressed and the incisions are closed.

Phalloplasty is a complex surgery that typically requires multiple procedures. The first procedure is usually the creation of the penis. Additional procedures may be needed to create a urethra, to add sensation to the penis, or to improve the appearance of the penis.

The recovery from phalloplasty can be long and challenging. Patients typically need to stay in the hospital for a few days after surgery. They will also need to wear a compression garment for several weeks to help the penis heal.

The risks of phalloplasty include infection, bleeding, and complications with the urethra. The most common complication is urethral stricture, which is a narrowing of the urethra that can make it difficult to urinate.

Phalloplasty can be a life-changing surgery for transgender men. It can help them to feel more comfortable in their bodies and to live more authentically. However, it is important to remember that phalloplasty is a major surgery with risks and complications. Patients should carefully consider all of their options before deciding to undergo the procedure.

Phalloplasty is a surgical procedure performed to construct or reconstruct a penis. It is most commonly associated with gender-affirming surgery for transgender men or individuals assigned female at birth who wish to have male genitalia. Phalloplasty can also be performed for other medical reasons, such as congenital abnormalities, injuries, or penile cancer.

There are several techniques for phalloplasty, and the choice of technique depends on the patient’s goals, anatomy, and individual circumstances. Some of the common techniques include:

1. Radial Forearm Flap Phalloplasty: In this procedure, the surgeon uses a flap of skin, usually from the forearm, to create the neophallus (new penis). The flap includes blood vessels, nerves, and skin, and it is shaped into a phallic structure. This technique often allows for the creation of a sensate phallus, meaning the patient can experience tactile sensation in the reconstructed penis.
2. Anterolateral Thigh (ALT) Flap Phalloplasty: Similar to radial forearm flap phalloplasty, the ALT flap technique uses a flap of skin and tissue, typically from the thigh, to construct the phallus. This technique may offer a larger and thicker neophallus compared to the radial forearm flap.
3. Pedicled Groin Flap Phalloplasty: This method uses a flap of skin from the groin area to create the neophallus. It may be chosen in cases where the forearm or thigh flaps are not suitable.
4. Musculocutaneous Latissimus Dorsi (MLD) Flap Phalloplasty: The MLD flap technique involves using a section of muscle and skin from the back (latissimus dorsi muscle) to create the phallus.

Phalloplasty is often performed in multiple stages and may involve additional procedures, such as scrotoplasty (creation of a scrotum), urethroplasty (construction of a urethra), and placement of penile implants for achieving erections.