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An Update on the Management of the Short Penis: Results from a Systematic Review

  • Male and Female Surgical Interventions (A Burnett and C Carson, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Sexual Health Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The aim of this manuscript is to systematically review the current literature on surgical management of the short penis, focusing on surgical and functional outcomes and postoperative complications.

Recent Findings

Penile size still represents a major concern among a large proportion of men regardless of age and socio-cultural background. On the other hand, there is still no clear agreement on the definition of a short penis. Penile inadequacy can be secondary to a variety of clinical conditions, either organic or psychogenic; moreover, the causes of a short penis could be divided in congenital or acquired. A surgical intervention is often requested to address these conditions, with a variety of different techniques that reflect the vast heterogeneity of the etiologies of the disease. Surgical and patients’ satisfaction outcomes are extremely variable, as long as the different techniques are hardly comparable. As a general statement, a lack of objective data, mainly concerning postoperative lengthening results, must be emphasized.

Summary

To date, penile lengthening procedures remain highly controversial. Recent evidences show better results in case of intrinsic or “false” penile shortness, while there is a lack of standardized studies concerning patients affected by penile dysmorphic disorder.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urology Department, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy

    M. Falcone, M. Sibona, M. Preto, M. Timpano, L. Rolle, C. Ceruti, M. Oderda & P. Gontero

  2. Urology Clinic, Ospedale Careggi, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

    A. Cocci

  3. The Institute of Urology, University College London Hospitals, London, UK

    G. Garaffa

Authors
  1. M. Falcone
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  2. M. Sibona
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  3. M. Preto
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  4. A. Cocci
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  5. M. Timpano
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  6. L. Rolle
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  7. C. Ceruti
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  8. M. Oderda
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  9. P. Gontero
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  10. G. Garaffa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Falcone.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

All reported studies/experiments with human or animal subjects performed by the authors have been previously published and complied with all applicable ethical standards (including the Helsinki declaration and its amendments, institutional/national research committee standards, and international/national/institutional guidelines).

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Male and Female Surgical Interventions

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Falcone, M., Sibona, M., Preto, M. et al. An Update on the Management of the Short Penis: Results from a Systematic Review. Curr Sex Health Rep 9, 214–223 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0127-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-017-0127-0

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