Diphalia is an unusual birth defect in which a boy is born with two penises. This condition appears in about one in five million patients. and treatment depends on the specific presentation and any other medical problems the patient may have.
Malformation of the penis is usually accompanied by abnormalities in other parts of the body, and these may take priority in treatment due to their severity.
THE DIPHALIA
Extremely rare congenital anomaly (birth defect) in which a baby is born with a duplication of the penis. This condition is estimated to occur in only one in 5 to 6 million live births.
When there is diphalia, it is usually accompanied by renal, vertebral, large bowel, anorectal, or other congenital anomalies. There is also an increased risk of spina bifida.
Babies born with diphalia and its related conditions have a higher death rate from various infections associated with their more complex renal or colorectal systems.
Diphalia is often associated with other abnormalities, including gastrointestinal problems and other genitourinary abnormalities. The anatomical abnormality is often referred to as a diphalo.
Where it happens?
It can occur as a result of exposure to chemicals in the womb. This condition is not a genetic mutation and cannot be inherited. It occurs due to errors during fetal development, such as incomplete migration of penile cells as the penis grows.
This can be random or the result of exposure to chemicals in the womb. Prenatal ultrasound can allow a diagnosis before the baby is born, along with an evaluation of other body systems, such as the renal and colorectal tracts, to detect other birth defects.
Patients with diphalia may have other deformities such as imperforate anus, where the anal opening does not form.
When a baby is born with this condition, a medical professional will generally recommend a thorough evaluation to detect other birth defects and gather as much information about the abnormality as possible.
Sometimes one of the penises is not fully formed or does not connect to other parts of the urinary and reproductive tract, while in others, the two penises can be complete and fully functional.
The anatomy of a specific case may be of concern when developing a treatment plan.
What can be done?
One treatment option is surgical reconstruction. A surgeon will evaluate the patient, remove the supernumerary penis, and perform any additional procedures, such as repositioning the remaining penis to place it in an anatomically correct position.
At the same time, the surgeon can address other aspects of the patient’s case, such as bowel malformations that can lead to future medical complications.
A surgeon may recommend waiting for treatment, as newborns are fragile and surgery can be dangerous. If the procedure is purely cosmetic in nature, it may be best to let the baby grow and develop before addressing the problem.
The surgeon may also want to address serious birth defects first and treat the diphhalia at a later time.
Patients with this condition can be infertile. If fertility is a concern, a patient can request specific tests and discuss options for managing infertility with a physician. These may include using donor sperm or seeing if viable sperm can be collected for in vitro fertilization.
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IN SUMMARY
- What are the other names for this condition?
Also know as:
- Bífido penis
- Double penis
- Penis duplication
Diphalia is a congenital disorder, where a boy is born with two penises. The disorder may also be associated with accompanying abnormalities of the scrotum, urinary bladder, kidneys, heart, and skeletal structures.
- Who Gets Diphalia?
- Diphalia is an extremely rare congenital disorder that affects males, with symptoms present at birth.
- Since the first registration of this condition, only about 100 cases of diphhalia have been reported worldwide in the medical literature.
- Individuals of all racial and ethnic groups may be affected
- What are the risk factors for diphalia?
Currently, no risk factors for diphalia have been clearly identified. It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that you will get the condition.
A risk factor increases the chances of having a condition compared to a person without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.
Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that a person does not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.
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- How can diphalia be prevented?
Currently, diphalia may not be preventable, as the cause of this disorder is unknown. Regular medical exams are recommended at regular intervals with tests and physical exams.
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