Redundant Foreskin & Phimosis

1. What is redundant foreskin and phimosis?

Redundant foreskin means the loose fold of skin covering the glans of penis (foreskin) is too long under the absence of penis erection.

Phimosis means the foreskin is as tight as not able to be fully retracted over the glans, limiting the glans exposure.

2. What problems and sign and symptom do redundant foreskin and phimosis cause?

Both redundant foreskin and phimosis commonly cause infection of foreskin and glans. It is because the area between the glans and foreskin under this situation is difficult to keep clean. The normal sebum secretion, virus and bacteria are easily accumulated at the mucosal foreskin that makes infection. The affected area may show redness, itchy and feel pain. If the infection extends to urethra, difficult in urination or urinary retention may be as a result. Sometimes, ulcers developed causing whitish or yellowish purulent discharge as well.

3. What can be done about my redundant foreskin and phimosis?

Circumcision surgery can help both redundant foreskin and phimosis. The excessive or the tight foreskin can be removed surgically. This enables normal foreskin retraction and the glans exposure in comfortable way with minimizing the cause of infection.

Traditional circumcision and laser circumcision are both common in treating foreskin. In traditional circumcision, under local anesthesia in clinical outpatient setting, it takes around 45 minutes. The surgical wound is closed by dissolvable stitches and will disappear in about one week. Painkiller could be used for relieving pain and discomfort of the wound. Patient can resume daily activities immediately after surgery and urination is not affected. Sexual activity can be resumed after around one month of the surgery.

Laser circumcision with local anesthesia, remove the excessive foreskin by using laser beam. This makes less bleeding and the whole procedure can be finished in around 20 minutes. Patient needs to keep the wound dry and clean for a week. The wound will be healed in around 3 to 4 days. Generally, the wound causes less pain as the wound is simpler than that of traditional surgery.

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