A buried or concealed penis in an adolescent or adult may develop if one or more risk factors are present. Identification of the cause(s) can help determine the best intervention to reverse the problem and the steps needed to prevent recurrence.
Risk factors for an acquired buried penis:
(1) obesity, with a pubic fat pad
(2) diabetes mellitus
(3) circumcision (with postprocedural scarring)
(4) hernia repair or other external genitourinary surgery (with postprocedural scarring)
(5) chronic balanitis or other chronic infection in the pubic area
More than 1 risk factor may be present in a given patient.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) congenital buried penis
(2) micropenis
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