The Use of Bovine Collagen and Skin Graft for Reconstruction of the Glans Penis Following Cancer Resection

Penile reconstruction following cancer resection has long been a challenge due to demand for both aesthetic and functional preservation. Although various methods have attempted to achieve both goals, none have succeeded entirely. In this report, we introduce a novel reconstructive technique on a 64-year-old patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the glans penis. The technique consisted of two staged procedures. First, a dermal substitute, consisting of bovine collagen, was sutured onto the defect after partial glansectomy and three weeks later, the integrated dermis was covered with autologous non-meshed partial thickness skin graft. Use of this dermal substitute in a staged fashion allowed for ability to await final pathologic margins prior to definitive reconstruction and increased dermal thickness. After 9-month follow-up, sexual function returned within 3 months and the patient remained healed. We found this technique to be useful in concurrently preserving penile function and cosmesis. Future studies should include more patients and longer follow-up.