We can always see some special young patients at the urology outpatient clinic during the summer; they appear in the hospital in a unique way, and upon asking, we find out they have just undergone circumcision. Do we need to circumcise for phimosis? What are the surgical methods? Can my child still have a circumcision at this age? These are common questions that parents often ask. Today, Director Ye Daoyin from Beijing Shun Urology will answer these frequently asked questions.
1. Is surgery necessary for phimosis? Surgery is recommended for phimosis in the following situations:
1. Scholars abroad suggest that if phimosis persists after the age of 5, surgery should be considered;
2. In cases of recurrent balanitis or even urinary tract infections, surgery should be performed as soon as possible, regardless of age;
3. Those who have experienced phimosis should undergo surgery as soon as possible.
2. Which surgical method is the best for circumcision? There are many surgical methods for circumcision; currently, the three most commonly used methods are traditional circumcision, circumcision using a ring suture technique, and disposable circumcision stapler techniques. Each has its pros and cons.
1. Traditional circumcision involves surgically removing the foreskin and then stitching it with sutures. Its advantages include quick wound healing, while its disadvantages are the high skill requirement from the surgeon—only very experienced doctors can achieve a neat and aesthetically pleasing result—and the surgery generally takes about 40 minutes to complete, with more intraoperative bleeding.
2. The ring suture technique involves constricting the foreskin, leading to ischemic necrosis and gradual healing. Its advantages include a shorter surgery time, usually taking 5 to 10 minutes to complete, and less blood loss, with the postoperative wound healing neatly and attractively. The disadvantages are that the ring needs to be removed postoperatively and that the incision healing is relatively slow.
3. The disposable circumcision stapler technique involves using a disposable stapler for the surgery. Its advantages include a short surgery time, also taking 5 to 10 minutes to complete, with less blood loss and neat and attractive wound healing afterward. The disadvantage is that it is relatively more expensive.
3. At what age is it appropriate to perform surgery for phimosis?
1. Scholars abroad suggest that if phimosis persists after the age of 5, surgery should be considered.
2. In cases of recurrent balanitis or even urinary tract infections, surgery should be performed quickly, regardless of age.
3. Those who have experienced phimosis should undergo surgery as soon as possible.
Director Ye Daoyin recommends that if there are no recurrent infections or phimosis, surgery is more appropriate between the ages of 8 and 10. At this age, children tend to cooperate more, and postoperative care is easier.
Circumcision is not something every boy must undergo; only when issues like excessive foreskin length or phimosis occur should surgery be considered. Director Ye Daoyin also reminds parents that circumcision should only be performed in legitimate hospitals, and one should not blindly trust advertisements or promotions on the internet for protection of their child’s health.
