Buried Penis or Hidden Penis: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Complications

Buried Penis or Hidden Penis is a congenital disorder characterized by a penis which may be normal in size and contour but does not have enough skin sheath thus making it look buried or hidden. This condition is usually seen in neonates where the penis may be buried or hidden under outer protective layer of the skin of abdomen, thigh, or scrotum. Sometimes the penis may also get buried within its own skin.

Buried Penis or Hidden Penis tends to be more common in neonates or morbidly obese boys, although in some cases adults have also been found to have this condition. Buried Penis or Hidden Penis is a rare medical condition but with the rate at which obesity is on the rise these days it will not be surprising that more and more cases are noted of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis.

Buried Penis or Hidden Penis has many causes. They may be present at the time of birth of the child or may develop later on in life but it tends to be more prevalent in neonates and less common in boys and men if they are not obese and have a healthy weight.

Some of the common causes of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis are:

• Certain birth abnormalities in which the ligament which attach the penis to its underlying structures are weak leading to Buried Penis or Hidden Penis.
• As stated, morbid obesity is one of the primary causes of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis as excess fat around the abdominal area and the genitals cause the penis to become hidden or buried.
• In some cases, swelling around the scrotal area as a result of build up of lymph fluid may also cause Buried Penis or Hidden Penis.

In majority of the cases, a careful inspection and physical examination of the genital area is good enough to confirm the diagnosis of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis.

The treatment of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis tends to become difficult as the child grows and is more difficult in adults. The front line treatment of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis depends on the underlying cause of it. In cases of neonates with buried penis or hidden penis, the condition resolves on its own without any intervention in most of the cases. If this does not happen, especially in older boys and men, then surgery is the most preferred treatment for Buried Penis or Hidden Penis.

The surgical approach for each individual is different and varies on a case to case basis. The different types of surgeries done for treatment of Buried Penis or Hidden Penis are:

• Surgery done to remove scar tissue around the penis
• Another approach is to detach the ligament that connects the base of the penis to the pubic bone to make the penis more relevant
• Removing fat cells with the help of surgical suction catheters is yet another surgical approach to treat buried penis or hidden penis. This procedure is called suction lipectomy.
• Abdominoplasty is yet another surgical approach utilized by surgeons to treat buried penis or hidden penis. This procedure involves removal of excess fat and skin from the abdominal area to make the penis look more prominent.
• Surgery done to remove the pannus which is the excess skin that hangs down the genitals is yet another surgical approach for treating buried penis or hidden penis.
• Skin grafting to cover the areas of the penis where the skin is very less is another way to make the penis look more prominent and treat buried penis or hidden penis.

Apart from the above mentioned surgical approaches, buried penis or hidden penis can also be treated with medications especially if it causes irritation in the genital areas or if there is development of an infection.

Weight loss is recommended for obese patients with buried penis or hidden penis in a healthy manner even though just losing weight may not solve the entire issue of buried penis or hidden penis but they can cut down the risk of complications arising not only of buried penis or hidden penis but also to prevent other medical complications that may arise from obesity.

The issues of low self esteem and depression as a result of buried penis or hidden penis can be addressed by mental health professionals.

Buried Penis or Hidden Penis often comes along with a host of other complications and problems. An individual with buried penis or hidden penis will find it difficult to urinate either standing or sitting without some drops of urine falling on their thighs or scrotum. Urinary tract and other infections related to the genitourinary system are common in people with buried penis or hidden penis.

Inflammation of the covering of the head of the penis can also be seen in people with buried penis or hidden penis. Adults may find it difficult to indulge in sexual intercourse adequately as a result of buried penis or hidden penis. Psychological problems like depression, low self esteem and depression are common in people with buried penis or hidden penis.