Incidence of Cleft Deformities among Neonates in Mulago National Referral hospital, Uganda

Abstract

Chronic lymphoedema can affect any parts of the body, including the scrotum and penis. Massive scrotal lymphoedema with gross genital deformation is called penoscrotal elephantiasis1. Penoscrotal elephantiasis can be a functionally and emotionally incapacitating dilemma to the patients. Usually patients suffer from pain, chronic irritation, repeated infections, ambulatory problems, sexual dysfunction and social dejection. Congenital (primary) lymphoedema is due to malformation of the lymphatic vessels and are rare conditions for example the congenital hereditary elephantiasis of the Meige type2. Acquired (secondary) genital lymphoedema can be caused by genital infection such as lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), filarial infestation like Wuchereria bancrofti, recurrent inflammation, tumors, lymph node dissection, trauma and radiotherapy3. With severe penoscrotal lymphoedema, the mainstay of treatment involves surgical excision, followed by reconstruction using local flaps or skin grafts. We present 3 cases of giant penoscrotal elephantiasis treated by excision and reconstruction with anterior and posterior flaps as a successful treatment of this difficult problem.