Objective: To introduce a postoperative protocol to optimize the final size of the penis in patients undergoing metoidioplasty.
Patients and methods: Fourteen patients with the mean age of 29.3 years (8-40 ± 11.7), ten female transsexuals (46 xx karyotype) and four with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency syndrome (5ARDS) who had undergone extensive metoidioplasty entered a penile improvement protocol (PIP) between 2007 and 2015 at a specialized clinic in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran. Subjects were thoroughly instructed, rehearsed on the protocol and closely followed for 24 weeks. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. We adapted a popular device, the so-called penile traction device, to accommodate the size of the neo-penis.
Results: All patients achieved an increase in their penile length with a mean of 28.42 mm (21-47 ± 6.86). Two subjects developed penile bruises and edema during the protocol implementation. No significant procedural complications were detected in the remaining 12 participants.
Conclusions: PIP can be an effective step in increasing the size of the neo-penis in patients who have undergone metoidioplasty. We suggest this procedure to be seriously considered in postoperative management of well-informed and motivated patients to improve the final penile length and function in this population. Larger studies are needed to further validate this protocol.
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Keywords: Gender identity disorder; Metoidioplasty; Penile extender; Penile traction device; Sex reassignment surgeries; Surgical technique; Transsexualism.