Circumcision Phimosis

Phimosis, or preputial stenosis, is a term that usually means any condition where the foreskin of the penis cannot be retracted.

Most infants are born with a foreskin that cannot be retracted, and the prepuce may be tight until after puberty.

A fully retractable foreskin occurs in 50% of ten year olds, 90% of 16 year olds and 98 to 99% of 18 year olds.

Causes of Phimosis

1. Failure of foreskin to loosen during growth.
2. Infections such as balinitis
3. Deformities caused by trauma and diseases of the genitals.

Symptoms of Phimosis

1. Phimosis is usually painless condition.
2. Infection may result from an inability to carry out effective cleaning of the area.
3. Swelling, redness and discharge may all be present making the area tender and painful.
4. A very tight foreskin can cause problems during intercourse and urination.

Treatment – Circumcision

Once phimosis is diagnosed, the available treatments include topical corticosteroids, manual stretching, preputial plasty and circumcision. Conservative treatments should be tried in the first instance, and surgery as a second line of treatment.

Topical Steroids

A number of studies show that topical steroids can safely and effectively treat phimosis in some cases. Betamethasone cream 0.05% should be applied to the exterior and interior of the tip of the foreskin 2-3 times daily. If the foreskin has not become retractile during this time, the treatment should be discontinued as ineffective after 3 months.

Plastic Surgery

Several plastic surgery procedures are available for the treatment of phimosis. This includes preputial plasty and circumcision.

Preputial Plasty

A minor surgical procedure performed as a day surgery under local anaesthetics and twilight sedation. It involves cutting through the constrictive band of the foreskin. The restricted band is released, and the cut/incision is closed to prevent future constriction. This procedure allows the prepuce to be retained. It takes 45min.

Circumcision

It is also performed as a day surgery procedure. It includes the removal of the excess foreskin and the constricted band. The wound is repaired with dissolving sutures. The procedure takes 1 hour.

For more details please contact our office on: Tel: 02-9561 0200 or 1300 004 008

What are the risks associated with this procedure?

Plastic surgery, like any surgical procedure, carries inherent risks and potential complications.

Please read our Risks and Complications of Plastic Surgery page.