Cosmetic Scrotoplasty & Penoscrotal Webbing
The penis and scrotum are connected by skin. Occasionally, the skin is attached higher on the penis, resulting in a web-like appearance.
Congenital webbed penis is relatively uncommon (less than 4% of male infants) and is evident at birth. “Acquired” penoscrotal webbing is more common and usually occurs when too much skin was cut during circumcision.
There are unique solutions available to resolve problems from these conditions including a standard scrotoplasty, cosmetic scrotoplasty (ventral phalloplasty with scrotal lift), and a Foundoplasty™.
Rejuvall® offers cosmetic scrotoplasty and Foundoplasty™ procedures for men seeking improved appearance and size from cosmetic urology.
Understanding Penoscrotal Webbing
Penoscrotal webbing can affect both the aesthetic and functional aspects of the genital area, potentially impacting confidence and comfort.
At Rejuvall®, we specialize in advanced, minimally invasive procedures to address penoscrotal webbing, restoring a natural look and enhancing overall well-being.
What is penoscrotal webbing?
Penoscrotal webbing, commonly referred to as a “webbed penis,” is a disorder characterized by the excessive extension of scrotal skin over the ventral aspect of the penis, resulting in a web-like formation between the penis and scrotum.
In other words, a webbed penis occurs when skin from your scrotum attaches to your penis at a higher point than it should.
Moreover, it’s also sometimes called other terms such as webbed penis, penoscrotal fusion, turkey neck, or penis palmatus.
Webbed penis can be classified into primary and secondary categories.
The extent of penoscrotal fusion can be described as either complete or partial. Penoscrotal web can be categorized into partial and total penoscrotal fusion.
Partial penoscrotal fusion happens when the skin of the scrotum stretches onto the underside of the penis but stays closer to the base of the shaft.
Complete penoscrotal fusion is when the scrotal skin stretches farther, reaching past the middle of the shaft.
What causes penoscrotal webbing?
Webbed penis can be either acquired or congenital (a physical abnormality existing since birth).
Congenital Penoscrotal Webbing
The precise cause of congenital webbed penis remains unidentified. The development of the penis is finalized during 16 weeks of gestation during embryogenesis.
Problems during the growth of the skin around the penis can cause the skin on the underside to be too short.
Another possible cause is if a layer of tissue called the dartos band attaches in the wrong place. Some experts also think leftover tissue from early development, called a cloacal veil, might lead to a webbed penis.
There is little research about how common congenital webbed penis is, but one study of 5,881 newborns found that about 4% had the condition.
Acquired Webbed Penis
The acquired version of webbed penis usually happens from an improper circumcision in infancy, where the attending physician cut too much of the ventral penile skin.
This causes the scrotal skin to adhere to the penile shaft.
Improperly performed circumcisions can lead to penile retraction into the scrotum, causing secondary phimosis, often termed a “trapped penis.”
Patients with acquired penile webbing that are experiencing discomfort will require surgical intervention to relieve penile restriction.
Before repairing the webbed penis surgically, it is critical to identify any additional associated congenital abnormalities.
The primary objective of treating a webbed penis is to detach the penis from the scrotum, completely excising the web and augmenting the length of the ventral penile skin.
What impact does penoscrotal webbing have on a man's penis?
A webbed penis presents several adverse effects for individuals afflicted by the condition:
Penoscrotal webbing can shorten a penis.
A scrotal web is created when the skin of the front wall of the scrotum is drawn up onto the underside of the penile shaft, hiding part of the shaft and making the penis appear shorter.
Penile webbing can have a negative impact on intimacy.
A webbed penis may provide discomfort during vaginal or anal intercourse.
Excess skin must be adjusted within the orifice during typical intercourse, leading to restricted penetration depth and discomfort for both partners.
Moreover, the positioning of the scrotal tissue on the ventral shaft may result in a downward-angled erection.
For certain men, the recognition of such a limitation may lead to sexual dysfunction and despair.
Penile Webbing Hinders Use of Condoms
One of the most challenging elements of penoscrotal webbing is the constraints it may place on safe sexual practices.
Condoms are inherently designed to fit securely on the penis to guarantee sexual safety for both partners.
The position and amount of extra scrotal tissue on the penile shaft can make putting on a condom a tough task and a source of discomfort for the user.
"I have pain when I exercise."
Excess scrotal tissue can affect a man’s ability to exercise comfortably.
From tissue that hangs too low, to tissue that reactively over tightens with exertion, to just being plain uncomfortable when biking/running, etc.
The list of complaints with regards to athletic activities is long and varied, but in the end they all share one theme – discomfort in the groin with exercise.
"I just don't like how it looks."
It is not uncommon to have a complaint that “it just doesn’t look right” or that the testicles hang too low. Everyone has different elasticity to their skin, so there can be great variability in what is normal for scrotal volume and skin.
Remember, the scrotum’s job is to help the testicles’ temperature regulate to ensure adequate sperm production. That may have, over years, led to a significant slackness in the skin at the scrotum as the testicles move up/down to regulate that temperature.
What’s the difference between webbed penis & buried penis?
Both are issues related to penile health. A buried penis occurs when extra skin and fat tissue conceal the penis. Occasionally, webbing may result in a buried penis. Nonetheless, not all concealed penises are webbed penises.
How do I know if I have a webbed penis?
If you suspect you have a webbed penis, stand naked beside a full-length mirror, then:
- Pull your penis upward toward the celling
- Gently pull the skin of the scrotum toward the floor.
- Examine the amount of skin between your scrotum and penile shaft. Skin with a webbed look between the scrotum and penis indicates webbed penis.
A physical exam by a healthcare professional can also determine if you suffer from penoscrotal webbing.
How do you get rid of penoscrotal webbing?
A scrotoplasty procedure is the most common surgical intervention for a webbed penis. A scrotoplasty involves cutting the skin that links your scrotum to your penis, then reattaching it in the correct position with sutures.
There are different versions of a scrotoplasty procedure which are based upon the degree of skin removed and any cosmetic procedures to follow.
When successfully performed, scrotoplasty establishes a standard angle between the penis and scrotum, plus it relieves issues with distracting “pulling” or painful erections.
There are 3 distinct versions of a “scrotoplasty” for men to consider:
What is a standard scrotoplasty?
A webbed penis happens when the skin from the scrotum fuses with the penis at an unusually high location. An erect penis applies stress to the skin, leading to discomfort or pain, which can hinder or lessen the enjoyment of sexual intercourse.
A standard scrotoplasty is ideally suited for men looking to relieve the tension from excess scrotal skin along their penile shaft. It’s quick, relatively easy, and often covered by health insurance.
With a standard scrotoplasty, a triangular area of excess scrotal skin is removed to provide relief from any discomfort from the tension happening because of the scrotal webbing.
This procedure is most often performed in-office using a local anesthetic.
Rejuvall® does not offer a standard scrotoplasty, as our focus is providing a larger or more visually appealing phallus while a standard scrotoplasty only provides penile tension relief.
What is a cosmetic scrotoplasty?
A ventral phalloplasty with scrotal lift (cosmetic scrotoplasty) is a much more involved treatment than a standard scrotoplasty and is suited for men who have severe scrotal webbing or those who want to improve the appearance, size, or penetration depth of their penis.
Rejuvall® offers cosmetic scrotoplasty procedures for men looking to enhance the appearance or size of their penis when indicated.
A Rejuvall® cosmetic scrotoplasty requires anesthesia and a 1–2-day post-surgical stay in Atlanta to help ensure a healthy recovery.
This procedure has a high success rate and strong patient satisfaction.
What is a Foundoplasty™?
The last version of scrotoplasty we’ll discuss is designed to address extra tissue along the base of the penis that developed from excess scrotal skin, weight gain, or aging.
This unsightly bulk takes away from the visible length of the flaccid penis. We resolve such issues with our proprietary Foundoplasty™ procedure.
The Foundoplasty™ is a minor surgical procedure that restores the penis to its normal retracted position by removing excess tissue at the penis’s base.
Part of the removed tissue is repurposed under the base of the penis organ, causing it to stick out slightly, giving the impression of being even longer when flaccid.
The Foundoplasty™ procedure is performed under mild anesthesia with an epidural and IV sedation.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and the majority of patients are able to return to their homes within 48 hours with only minor discomfort.
It’s one of the simplest and most innovative methods out there for increasing penile length.
Penoscrotal Webbing Surgery FAQs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions, and their answers, about the treatments available for webbed penis.
The differences between a standard and cosmetic scrotoplasty are substantial.
A standard scrotoplasty is most commonly performed in office using local anesthesia and involves removing enough skin to relive any tension or pain from scrotal webbing.
A cosmetic scrotoplasty (ventral phalloplasty with scrotal lift) is a minor surgical procedure with anesthesia and removes all excess skin from scrotal webbing along both the shaft and scrotum sac plus a lift that causes the penis to jut outward further.
No, the incisions made during a cosmetic scrotoplasty and Rejuvall® MegaMAXL® penile lengthening procedure are in contrast and could not be performed at the same time.
A cosmetic scrotoplasty because of the risk of scrotal webbing getting worse after lengthening should be performed before lengthening surgery.
No. An incision is made along the lower shaft of the penis during a cosmetic scrotoplasty.
Any thickening procedure would put strain on these sutures and risk a positive outcome with both procedures.
A cosmetic scrotoplasty should be performed before any penile girth enlargement.
Avoid certain medications. You should stop taking medicine that can increase your bleeding risk a few days to a week before surgery.
These medicines include blood thinners (aspirin or other medicines that prevent blood clots and strokes) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Be sure your provider knows about any medications or supplements you take.
Avoid food and drink. A cosmetic scrotoplasty includes anesthesia which means the patient cannot have any food or drink twelve hours before surgery to avoid issues with anesthesia.
Since you’ll be feeling the effects of anesthesia, you should arrange to have someone drive you home after a scrotoplasty.
Post-cosmetic scrotoplasty, you will have some discomfort and pain for a duration of 3 to 5 days, with the first day following the procedure being most acute.
We will prescribe pain relievers to optionally use during this recovery.
Complete recovery usually requires several weeks. During such period, some scrotal edema and pain may be anticipated. Stick to the prescribed procedures for wound management.
Traveling patients are asked to stay 1 to 2 nights in a nearby hotel to avoid stressing the surgical area and causing edema, which significantly slows healing.
Sutures will dissolve, and postoperative care typically consists of keeping the surgical site clean and positioning the penis upward and away from the scrotal sack to promote healing.
During recovery, our surgical team recommends that patients purchase and wear “tighty whitey” style briefs to keep the flaccid penis free of the recovering scrotal tissue.
We advise patients undergoing cosmetic scrotoplasty to wear snug “tighty whitey” undergarments and maintain the penile shaft in an upright posture, avoiding contact with the scrotum for the initial 2 weeks post-procedure to facilitate recovery.
The exact steps of your surgery will vary depending on your situation and anatomy, but a cosmetic scrotoplasty is generally performed as follows:
- Prior to your treatment, you will meet with our surgeon, who will go over his specific plan of action and address any last-minute concerns.
- Anesthesia will be administered to you, typically in the form of an IV sedative or epidural.
- A cut will be made by our surgeon close to the point where your scrotum and penis meet.
- The extra skin and tissue that connects your skin and penis will be removed by our surgeon.
- The skin connecting your scrotum to the base of your penis may be tightened by our surgeon.
- Dissolvable stitches will be used by our surgeon to seal the wound.
- To reduce swelling, a drain may occasionally be left in your scrotum.
Most cosmetic scrotoplasty procedures take 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
Full recovery and healing require around 6 weeks. Refrain from engaging in sexual intercourse during this period to ensure complete healing of the wound.
A cosmetic scrotoplasty entails several risks, including:
- an allergic reaction to anesthesia.
- Hemorrhaging, contusions, and edema.
- Injury to the urinary tract.
- Infections.
- Nerve damage.
- Dyspareunia.
- Scarring or aesthetic concerns.
Regardless of the rationale for a cosmetic scrotoplasty, it is imperative to consult with our surgeon regarding the associated risks and all available options prior to the procedure.
Most insurance companies—including Medicare and Medicaid—cover the cost of standard scrotoplasty to treat penile pain from excess scrotal tissue.
However, they don’t cover scrotal surgeries like a ventral phalloplasty with scrotal lift (cosmetic scrotoplasty) or a Foundoplasty™, as they are considered cosmetic and thus “elective” procedures.
