Preputioplasty
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Preputioplasty is becoming more common for people who suffer with Phimosis. Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin on the penis is unable to be retracted because the opening has grown too tightly closed. This condition is seen mostly in young boys, however, can be seen in grown men. The normal treatment for Phimosis is a circumcision. If bacteria or fungus grow under the foreskin, a man may experience irritation and infections.
Preputioplasty is an alternative to circumcision, and is a minor medical procedure. The purpose of this surgery is to widen the foreskin opening so that the foreskin is able to be retracted. Instead of having to have an entire circumcision, the doctor will make 1 or 2 small incisions in the foreskin.
When the doctor makes the incisions in the foreskin, it widens the opening, allowing the foreskin to be retracted. The incisions are then closed transversely. Some men are choosing Preputioplasty over circumcision for the benefits. One benefit of this type of surgical procedure is that there is no trauma to the penis. Trauma from surgeries can cause problems down the road for a man. Some trauma can actually even lead to erectile dysfunction. This is a risk that most men don’t want to face.
This type of surgery is less invasive than a circumcision as well. Most of the time, a Preputioplasty can be performed on an out-patient basis, with the patient under a local anesthetic. Another great benefit of this type of surgery is that the wounds will heal much faster. Also, there is no significant chance to the appearance of the penis.
In a recent study, thirty patients who were referred for preputioplasty were followed through the surgery and recovery. Only one of the patients developed any type of problems. This problem was due to an infection that happened post-operatively, and was cleared up swiftly with antibiotics. The rest of the patients expressed great happiness, and all of them had easily retracted foreskin.
Usually, the doctor just needs to make two incisions. After the patient has been given a general anesthesia, the doctor makes the incisions. They are made at the tip of the penis, on the foreskin. From the already existing opening, the doctor will make a small incision down, and then another incision from the top of the opening going up. He only makes the incisions big enough so that the foreskin will retract comfortably. When he sutures the incisions, he will suture them around the now larger opening instead of suturing the skin back together.
After this surgery, the appearance of the penis is still the same. It appears to be an uncircumcised penis. On most follow up appointments, the foreskin is easily retractable. This kind of surgery is especially good for younger children who suffer with Phimosis. The reason is that a parent doesn’t have to put their child through a full circumcision. The healing time is faster, and there are less chances for scarring or later developing problems. The effect will last as well, as studies have followed Preputioplasty patients for up to 20 years, and the foreskin was still easily retractable. This proves to be a great alternative to circumcision, and interest in this type of surgery verses circumcision is sure to grow as more people learn about this technique.
