OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of scrotum reconstruction with a skin flap on spermatogenesis.

METHODSTwo patients who underwent scrotum reconstruction with the skin flap were followed up for four years. Their sperm quality, sex function, sexual hormone, and testis biopsy were examined. To exclude the influential factors of testis and spermatic cord contusing, an experiment study was designed and performed in rabbits. The scrotal skin of the rabbits was stripped off and the scrotum was reconstructed with a hypogastric skin flap.

RESULTSThe clinical follow-up indicated that in the early postoperative period, the reconstruction did not impede spermatogenesis, but the arrest of spermatogenesis happened with time. The experimental results showed that the sperm count of the rabbits decreased obviously and the rabbits became sterile two months after scrotum reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONThe thick skin flap is not recommended for scrotum reconstruction.