Medical Information Right this moment: What to find out about diphallia (double penis)

Diphallia is a uncommon genetic situation that happens when a male child is born with duplication of the penis.

There are several types of diphallia, starting from partial to finish penile duplication. Having two fully developed penises, or true diphallia, may be very uncommon.

Ever because the first description of diphallia in 1609, researchers have solely reported 100 further circumstances worldwide. It might happen in 1 in each 5–6 million stay births.

This text takes a better take a look at diphallia, together with its signs, causes, results on a male’s life, and the probabilities for remedy.

Share on PinterestAn individual with diphallia could have a partial to finish penile duplication.

Each case of diphallia is exclusive, and the quantity of duplication varies with every. Most males with this situation can have two penises of about the identical measurement, positioned facet by facet.

Some males can have a bigger penis positioned above a second, smaller penis. For others, the duplication will solely have an effect on the top of the penis.

Earlier classification described three sorts of diphallia:

a duplication of solely the tip of the penis, or the glansbifid phallus, whereby every penis has just one column of soppy tissue (the corpus cavernosum) as an alternative of two, as is often the case with true diphalliacomplete diphallia, whereby there’s a full duplication of the penis

Nevertheless, present classifications declare that there are solely two sorts of diphallia: true diphallia and bifid phallus.

Diphallia often happens alongside different beginning irregularities. These can embrace:

a cleft scrotumhypospadias, whereby the opening to the urethra is on the underside of the penis, as an alternative of the tipduplication of the urethra in each penisesno urethras in both penisabnormal coronary heart musclestwo bladdersa lacking anusatypical muscle groups hooked up to the bonesirregular positioning of the scrotumirregularities affecting the general public bonemisshapen, rotated, or additional kidneyscomplications of the kidney and colorectal programs

Males with diphallia are at better danger of spina bifida. They’re additionally extra more likely to be sterile.

Diphallia is a genetic situation that comes about throughout the improvement of the fetus.

The genetic irregularity that causes diphallia takes impact throughout the improvement of the genitals.

Some researchers counsel that publicity to medicine, infections, or different injury between the 23rd and 25th day of gestation may result in diphallia, as it is a essential stage of fetal improvement.

Males with diphallia are sometimes in a position to urinate by way of one or each penises. They might additionally have the ability to have erections and ejaculate with one or each penises.

Relying on the person state of affairs, males with this situation could possibly have a traditional intercourse life and have kids.

Nevertheless, there tends to be an elevated danger of poorly functioning kidney and colorectal programs. Because of this, infants with diphallia could have the next danger of dying on account of infections.

That being mentioned, this will not be the case when diphallia will not be related to different irregularities.

Surgical procedure is the one remedy choice for diphallia. Remedy will not be at all times essential, nonetheless.

A surgeon will often carry out this surgical procedure at beginning or very quickly after. The process will fluctuate based mostly on how a lot duplication there’s and the presence of different beginning irregularities.

As a result of every case of diphallia is exclusive, the surgical procedure to deal with it may be sophisticated and tough. The first considerations are:

ensuring that the male will have the ability to urinate usually and have erectionsreducing the potential danger of infectionreducing structural irregularities

The timing of the surgical procedure will probably be an necessary issue because of the male’s seemingly age. As docs typically diagnose diphallia at beginning, there could must be a number of surgical procedures over time.

People with diphallia typically produce other beginning irregularities, akin to hypospadias, duplicated urethras, and cryptorchidism (whereby one or each testes don’t descend). Researchers report that in lots of circumstances, surgeons can restore the bodily irregularities related to diphallia.

In a single case, surgeons handled a few of the toddler’s irregularities quickly after beginning, however they solely eliminated the extra penis when the person was a toddler.

Males with diphallia don’t at all times go for remedy, as within the case of a 54-year-old male whose physician recognized diphallia throughout an examination for a hernia. Surgeons repaired the hernia, however the affected person didn’t deem it essential to take away the smaller penis.

Diphallia is a uncommon genetic beginning irregularity during which a male toddler is born with duplication of the penis. This duplication can contain solely the tip of the penis or lead to two absolutely functioning penises.

When males are born with diphallia, they typically produce other beginning irregularities as properly.

Surgical procedure is the one option to deal with diphallia. Surgeons could tackle diphallia and extra beginning irregularities in a number of phases.

Males with diphallia can lead full and wholesome lives.