When does phimosis need surgery?
From a medical point of view, phimosis surgery is considered if treatment with a cortisone ointment has not been successful. However, surgery is only performed if the phimosis requires treatment. This is the case in the following situations:
- Disorders during urination (for example, inflation of the foreskin, pain)
- (frequent) inflammation(s) of the foreskin
- Paraphimosis
Surgery may also be required for lichen sclerosus and scarring. Acute inflammation is treated before phimosis surgery. This is done in the vast majority of cases with antibiotics. Removal of the foreskin is usually not considered if there are malformations of the penis that the foreskin may be needed to correct.
What is the procedure of phimosis surgery?
Phimosis surgery is the surgical treatment of a narrowing of the foreskin. As a rule, a so-called circumcision is performed. This means that the foreskin is removed – either completely or partially.
Phimosis surgery is performed under general anesthesia and anesthesia of local nerves of the penis. In adults, general anesthesia may not be necessary.
There are several techniques for phimosis surgery:
Complete circumcision (complete circumcision).
At the back of the penis, the foreskin is incised and cut off at the junction of the glans and the shaft of the penis. The surgeon then sutures the inner and outer foreskin.
Sparing circumcision (subtotal circumcision).
In this form of phimosis surgery, the entire foreskin is not removed, but a portion is left intact.
Dilatation plastic surgery
In this procedure, the foreskin opening is widened by the doctor making incisions in certain places, which he sutures in a special way. In patients with lichen sclerosus, this form of phimosis surgery is not possible because of the high risk of recurrence.
In some cases, careful detachment of the foreskin from the underlying skin of the glans is sufficient. In this case, however, it is not a true foreskin constriction. Rather, in this case the foreskin is wide enough, but merely not sufficiently detached from the skin of the glans.
How long does the healing process take after the operation?
If the surgeon has performed a full circumcision, healing after phimosis surgery for adults and children usually takes two weeks. However, the length of time adults or children are sick or on sick leave after phimosis surgery varies from person to person and depends on the healing process.
