OBJECTIVE

To preserve the appearance of a normal scrotum at orchiectomy, a pedicled fibro-fatty tissue graft was inserted in the lumen of the tunica vaginalis.

METHODS

42 testes of 21 patients with metastatic prostate cancer were treated. A pedicled fibro-fatty tissue graft prepared from the region between the spermatic cord and the scrotal septum was inserted in the lumen of the tunica vaginalis following epididymis-sparing orchiectomy under local or spinal anesthesia.

RESULTS

A pedicled fibro-fatty tissue graft which reached the epididymal tail was prepared in all instances. The average postoperative volume of the scrotal content was 18 ml (range 5-30 ml). Postoperative complications were scrotal edema, sensation of traction at the inguinal region and epididymitis. All but 1 patient were satisfied with the appearance of the scrotum and achieved sufficient androgen ablation. Mean follow-up was 8 (3-11) months.

CONCLUSIONS

This cosmetic orchiectomy is a safe, simple and economical procedure to preserve the appearance of a normal scrotum; it also achieves the reliable result of androgen deprivation.