What does phimosis mean?

I believe many people have heard of the word phimosis, especially in some propaganda, it is often said that phimosis is very harmful. But what does phimosis mean? Many people may not know the characteristics of this disease. The probability of phimosis is still very high. You should know whether you belong to this situation. If you belong to phimosis, you need to be treated in time. Let's take a look below.

Phimosis refers to a condition where the foreskin opening is narrow and small, and cannot be turned up to expose the glans penis. Phimosis is divided into congenital phimosis and acquired phimosis. The mild epithelial adhesion between the inner plate of the foreskin and the surface of the glans penis is absorbed, the foreskin retracts, and the glans penis is exposed. If the adhesion is not absorbed, congenital phimosis is formed. Acquired phimosis is mostly secondary to phimosis of the glans penis, causing scar contraction of the foreskin opening. If the phimosis is severe, it can cause dysuria or even urinary retention. When smegma accumulates, there may be an itchy feeling on the glans penis. Long-term chronic stimulation can induce infection and cancer, leukoplakia and stones.

Clinical manifestations

The foreskin opening is narrow and pinhole-like, which can cause varying degrees of dysuria, slow and small urine flow, and bulging foreskin during urination. The foreskin cannot be turned up for cleaning, and smegma accumulates in the foreskin sac. The smegma can be discharged from the foreskin opening, or it can remain in the coronal groove of the glans penis in small pieces. The retention of smegma makes urine discharge difficult, and it is easy to develop foreskin and glans inflammation. In foreskin and glans inflammation, the foreskin opening is red and swollen, with purulent secretions. Incarcerated foreskin, the pain is severe, the foreskin is edematous, a narrow ring can be seen on its upper edge, and the glans penis is dark purple. There is dysuria, and long-term incarceration can cause necrosis of the foreskin and glans.

Diagnosis

1. Phimosis refers to the condition where the foreskin is too long, the external opening is narrow, and it cannot be turned up, so that the glans penis cannot be exposed. Secondary phimosis refers to the condition where the foreskin and glans penis cannot be turned up and the glans penis cannot be exposed due to repeated inflammation of the foreskin and glans penis.

2. The foreskin is small, and the foreskin is occasionally turned up to the coronal sulcus area and becomes incarcerated there and cannot be turned down. This is called incarcerated foreskin. Over time, the foreskin at the distal end of the incarceration ring will become obviously swollen or even necrotic, and in severe cases, it may affect urination.

treatment

1. For congenital phimosis in infants and young children, the foreskin can be repeatedly turned up to expand the foreskin opening. The technique should be gentle, and do not be too eager to retract the foreskin. When the glans penis is exposed, clean the smegma, apply antibiotic ointment or liquid wax to lubricate it, and then restore the foreskin, otherwise it will cause incarcerated foreskin. Most children can be cured with this method as they grow older. Only a few need circumcision. For incarcerated foreskin, manual reduction is required urgently, and dorsal foreskin incision is performed when necessary.

2. Patients with acquired phimosis need circumcision because their foreskin opening is a narrow fibrous ring. The indications are as follows: ① There is a narrow fibrous ring at the foreskin opening. ② Recurrent episodes of glans phimitis. ③ The foreskin opening is narrow after the age of 6.

There are different opinions on the indications for circumcision. In some countries and regions, circumcision is routinely performed after birth due to religious or ethnic customs. Some people believe that circumcision can reduce the incidence of penile cancer and cervical cancer in married women. However, data show that the incidence of these two cancers is very low in Israel, where circumcision is routinely performed, and in Nordic countries where circumcision is not popular, with no significant difference.