Phallic construction in a 65-year-old male pseudohermaphrodite.

Abstract

The authors constructed a functional, sensate phallus for a 65-year-old male pseudohermaphrodite. Although their technique is employed frequently for gender reassignment and posttraumatic reconstruction, the opportunity to perform this procedure to aid an adult patient with ambiguous genitalia is unusual. Of course, having such a patient present for treatment in his seventh decade of life is also unique. After careful consideration of his history, previous failure of medical therapy, and overall excellent medical condition the authors determined that age alone should not be an impediment to phallic construction for this patient. Their decision not to construct a penile urethra, and therefore avoid potential urethral complications, helped to ensure an uneventful postoperative course. Their success in this case has clearly broadened the range of patients that can benefit from phallic construction.