FAQs phimosis

1. WHAT IS PHIMOSIS?
Answer: Inability to retract the prepuce (also called as foreskin) is called as phimosis.

2. I HEARD THAT MOST OF THE KID’S FORESKIN CANNOT BE PULLED BACK?
Answer: Yes, most of the infants have phimosis which is called as physiological phimosis. However over 1-2 years prepuce should get easily retractable. But if he has difficulty or problem due to phimosis he may need surgery before 2 years as well.

3. IS IT BAD OR OKAY IF CHILD HAS PHIMOSIS?
Answer: it’s not okay. Because child’s urine will will come from inner hole on glans but cant easily pass through the outer hole in foreskin. Urine may get collected in prepuse leading to infections.

4. WHAT IS TREATMENT FOR PHIMOSIS?
Answer : Ideal treatment for phimois is surgery, called as circumcision, in which extra foreskin is removed.

5. CAN’T IT BE TRIED TO TREAT WITHOUT SURGERY?
Answer : Yes it can be tried in children less than one year of age and having mild phimosis.

6. I ONCE SAW THAT MY PHYSICIAN PULLED FORESKIN FORCEFFULLY FOR ONE CHILD AND SAID THAT NOW THIS PROBLEM IS SOLVED. CAN IT BE TRIED?
Answer : No. This treatment is now out of practice. Studies have proved that it worsens the problem than cure.

7. WHAT IF WE DONT OPT FOR SURGERY NOW?
Answer : In that case, urine will keep on accumulating in prepuce bag, Urine contains ammonia and may contain germs which can lead to infections (balanoposhthistis). Another problem is precipitation of salts of urine over glans leading to irritation, frequent handling, itching, not allowing to touch etc. In fact this all can lead to problems during sexual intercourse in adult life.

8. WHAT KIND OF SURGERY IS THIS?
Answer : This is day care surgery performed under short intravenous anaesthesia. Most of the kids are discharged on same day. There would be few stitches which are absorbable and do not need to remove.

9. HOW MANY DAYS WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR RECOVERY?
Answer : Bed rest is advisable for 1- 2 days. He can play indoor games from day 2 to day 7. He can play outdoor activity games from day 8. If he is comfortable he can be back to school from day 10.

10. WILL IT BE PAINFUL FOR HIM?
Answer: If you give painkiller as per the scheduled timings, he will experience very less pain.

11. WE ARE CONCERNED THAT CHILD IS SMALL AND ……. SURGERY?
Answer : We understand your concern. However if surgery not done in indicated cases, complications arising from this problem can sometimes be risky.