- What is penile torsion and what is the incidence of penile torsion?
Penile torsion is a condition in which the penis appears rotated on its axis (mostly to the left). The incidence of penile torsion is 1 in 80 newborn males. The severity of penile torsion may range from mild torsion (less than 30 degree) to complete 90-degree rotation which is called as severe penile torsion.
- Why does penile torsion occur?
It is congenital in nature. During the development of the penile tissues, the skin and the connective tissues of the penis do not form properly. This leads to a twisted appearance of the penis.
- What are the symptoms that can occur due to penile torsion?
Mild penile torsion does not cause any problems. When the penile torsion is moderate to severe, following symptoms may be present:
- Deviation of urine stream to the side of torsion
- Penis will appear curved to one side
- It may be associated with hypospadias (abnormal opening of the pee hole)
Diagnosis of penile torsion is done by clinical examination. The examination should be done by a trained pediatric urologist or a hypospadias surgeon. An expert pediatric urologist will be able to see the deviation of the midline raphe which starts from scrotum and goes to foreskin. In penile torsion this raphe goes to the opposite side of torsion.
- What is the treatment for penile torsion?
No treatment is required in mild cases of penile torsion (15–20-degree torsion)
Severe torsion causing symptoms will need penile torsion surgery to correct it. In surgery the skin is rearranged in the state of the natural lie of the foreskin. Circumcision should be avoided in kids with penile torsion.
Here are some cases of penile torsion operated at hypospadias foundation
1. Penile torsion to the left corrected by surgery
2. Penile torsion to the right along with distal penile hypospadias corrected by single stage repair
3. Penile torsion to the left-Single stage repair
4. Distal penile hypospadias with penile torsion to the left-single stage repair
About Hypospadias Foundation
At hypospadias foundation, we have successfully treated more than 100 children with penile torsion. This is the largest number in India. Hypospadias foundation is considered the best centre for hypospadias repair in India. Kids and adults travel from all over India and now more than 25+ countries to Navi Mumbai for state of art treatment, surgery for hypospadias and best results. The unique teamwork allows children with hypospadias to gain the best results in treatment of hypospadias. Dr A K Singal is considered the best hypospadias surgeon in the world and in India. Dr Singal along with Dr Shenoy perform more than 250 penile surgeries every year with success rate of more than 95%.