PROF ANTONIO RUFFO
Specialist in Urology
Andrology Genital and Urethral Recostructive Surgery
mobile +39 3511718896
Phimosis
What is it?
Phimosis is a benign condition consisting of a narrowing of the preputial ring that prevents or makes it difficult to exteriorize the glans with functional limitation of the organ.
The condition can affect both young adolescents (in which case it is called "congenital") and adult and older men ("secondary" form).
The surgery that is performed is called Foreskin Plastic Surgery or Circumcision.
Does the condition have complications?
The most common complication is paraphimosis, which disposes to urgent surgery.
Adult phimosis, also called secondary phimosis, is more common in patients with a prior history of recurrent balanopostitis especially in diabetic patients, or, of traumatic events to the foreskin. Primary or congenital forms, which are more frequent, may complicate with urinary infections due to urine stagnation at the level of the balanopreputial groove and not least with the formation of balanopreputial adhesions. One of the predisposing causes of phimosis in adults is Lichen sclerosus.
Who and how is phimosis diagnosed?
There is no doubt that the urologist-andrologist is the most appropriate physician to recognize a phimotic condition.
The objective examination is diriment for the diagnosis of the condition with setting the next course of treatment.
How is it treated?
The treatment of first choice is circumcision. This simple surgical procedure is performed under day surgery, with local anesthesia and discharge of the patient within a few hours of surgery. The surgery consists of removal of excess preputial tissue with subsequent plasticity by suturing with stitches that have the characteristic of being "reabsorbable" and therefore little trauma to the penile organ. At the end of the procedure, an elastocompressive bandage is applied, which has the ability to support the penis and prevent the formation of small hematomas or bleeding.
Local anesthesia
Surgery performed in day-surgery
Duration 30 minutes
What are the complications of the surgery?
Complications are infrequent and usually minor; it may become possible for a small edema to form at the level of the suture that may disappear within seven days; likewise, it is possible to experience some discomfort at the level of the balanic area as a result of friction with undergarments that disappears in about 30 days.
Will anything change in sexual intercourse ?
Initially, the patient may experience hypersensitivity of the glans, due to the fact that it has been covered by the foreskin. After a while there will be normalization and then the patient will not experience any discomfort. Indeed, in some cases, Foreskin Plastic Surgery may be recommended in patients suffering from Premature Ejaculation as an Off-label treatment.
