The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans

Background: Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO) is a chronic, often progressive disease, which can lead to phimosis and urethral stenosis, affecting both urinary and sexual function. Steroid creams are usually the first-line treatment but have a limited role and surgical intervention is frequently n...

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Main Authors: A Hartley, C Ramanathan, H Siddiqui
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc. 2011-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.ijps.org/article.asp?issn=0970-0358;year=2011;volume=44;issue=1;spage=91;epage=97;aulast=Hartley
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author A Hartley
C Ramanathan
H Siddiqui
author_facet A Hartley
C Ramanathan
H Siddiqui
author_sort A Hartley
collection DOAJ
description Background: Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO) is a chronic, often progressive disease, which can lead to phimosis and urethral stenosis, affecting both urinary and sexual function. Steroid creams are usually the first-line treatment but have a limited role and surgical intervention is frequently necessary. Conservative surgical procedures (circumcision) are often preferred in the first instance with the premise that recurrence of disease will require a more definitive reconstruction. This study looked at patients with pathologically proven BXO referred to the Plastic Surgery Unit at James Cook University Hospital between 2005 and 2009. The aim was to look at their management in the past and subsequent management by us. We also looked at whether early referral of progressive and recurrent BXO patients to reconstructive surgery could have prevented unnecessary delay in resolving symptoms at an earlier stage. Materials and Methods: Data was collected retrospectively and information regarding the exact anatomical location affected, the extent of the disease, the referring specialty and any previous surgical interventions was obtained. Alterations in urinary and sexual function and relief of symptoms following reconstructive surgery were analysed. Results: Of the 23 patients in the study, 43% had previous surgery and 60% of those had undergone two or more procedures. Twenty-one percent of patients had a history of BXO for over five years. Forty-seven percent of patients had alteration in their urinary function and 48% alteration in their sexual function due to the disease, prior to referral. Early results showed remarkable improvement in urinary and sexual function following reconstructive surgery in this group. Conclusions: Steroid creams have been shown to limit the progression of the disease but do not offer a cure in the majority of cases. Circumcision can be a curative procedure in early disease. Although there is conflicting evidence for treatment of recurring urethral strictures, repeated urethrotomy or urethral dilatation has poor long-term outcome. In patients with recurrent disease and associated complications we propose early referral to a plastic surgeon with genitourinary interest or reconstructive urologist for definitive treatment.
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spelling doaj.art-dee9de6424c44c5892cdd60ecb466f872022-12-21T18:00:13ZengThieme Medical Publishers, Inc.Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery0970-03581998-376X2011-01-01441919710.4103/0970-0358.81455The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica ObliteransA HartleyC RamanathanH SiddiquiBackground: Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO) is a chronic, often progressive disease, which can lead to phimosis and urethral stenosis, affecting both urinary and sexual function. Steroid creams are usually the first-line treatment but have a limited role and surgical intervention is frequently necessary. Conservative surgical procedures (circumcision) are often preferred in the first instance with the premise that recurrence of disease will require a more definitive reconstruction. This study looked at patients with pathologically proven BXO referred to the Plastic Surgery Unit at James Cook University Hospital between 2005 and 2009. The aim was to look at their management in the past and subsequent management by us. We also looked at whether early referral of progressive and recurrent BXO patients to reconstructive surgery could have prevented unnecessary delay in resolving symptoms at an earlier stage. Materials and Methods: Data was collected retrospectively and information regarding the exact anatomical location affected, the extent of the disease, the referring specialty and any previous surgical interventions was obtained. Alterations in urinary and sexual function and relief of symptoms following reconstructive surgery were analysed. Results: Of the 23 patients in the study, 43% had previous surgery and 60% of those had undergone two or more procedures. Twenty-one percent of patients had a history of BXO for over five years. Forty-seven percent of patients had alteration in their urinary function and 48% alteration in their sexual function due to the disease, prior to referral. Early results showed remarkable improvement in urinary and sexual function following reconstructive surgery in this group. Conclusions: Steroid creams have been shown to limit the progression of the disease but do not offer a cure in the majority of cases. Circumcision can be a curative procedure in early disease. Although there is conflicting evidence for treatment of recurring urethral strictures, repeated urethrotomy or urethral dilatation has poor long-term outcome. In patients with recurrent disease and associated complications we propose early referral to a plastic surgeon with genitourinary interest or reconstructive urologist for definitive treatment.http://www.ijps.org/article.asp?issn=0970-0358;year=2011;volume=44;issue=1;spage=91;epage=97;aulast=HartleyBalanitis Xerotica Obliteranspenile lichen sclerosis et atrophicussurgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
spellingShingle A Hartley
C Ramanathan
H Siddiqui
The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
penile lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title_full The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title_fullStr The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title_full_unstemmed The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title_short The surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
title_sort surgical treatment of balanitis xerotica obliterans
topic Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
penile lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
surgical treatment of Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans
url http://www.ijps.org/article.asp?issn=0970-0358;year=2011;volume=44;issue=1;spage=91;epage=97;aulast=Hartley
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