AB173. SOH25_AB_085. ‘Don’t try this at home!’—foreign body injection for penile augmentation: a case series

Background: The injection of foreign materials for the purpose of penile augmentation has long been reported, with the main motivating factor being dissatisfaction with phallic size and sexual function. However, this practice usually results in suboptimal outcomes, often requiring further surgical management and penile reconstruction.

Methods: This study identifies a series of 6 cases in a single-centre consisting of individuals who self-injected foreign materials into their penises and presented with cosmetic and functional compromise. The agents injected into the patient included industrial silicone, paraffin oil and Kanamycin ointment. These patients were identified, and data including demographics, timing of injection, timing between injection and presentation, symptoms at presentation, and management of complications, if any, were identified.

Results: Patients mainly presented with symptoms of varying complications varying from voiding issues to deep perineal abscess and sinus tract formation. In all cases the patients were unhappy with the cosmetic and functional outcomes of their self-injection. Surgical management varied from circumcision to total penile degloving and phallic reconstruction with split skin grafting.

Conclusions: Self-injection of foreign materials into the penis may have devastating consequences. These side effects include and aren’t limited to skin necrosis, penile distortion, chronic ulceration, abscess and fistula formation, as well as the formation of sinus tracts and granulomas. Management of these adverse effects depends mainly on the timing of presentation. Individuals should be aware of the risk that this practice possesses, as well as the long-term consequences.

Keywords: Liquid injectable silicone; penile augmentation; penile injection; case series