At what age should a child with phimosis undergo surgery? This is what the experts answered!

For children with phimosis, the most popular treatment is currently surgery. Surgery can solve the problem once and for all and allow the child's penis to be exposed. However, experts say that there is an optimal age range for this surgery and remind everyone to seize the opportunity.

1. Almost all children have phimosis or foreskin that is too long. If it does not affect urination, surgery can be performed after puberty (after 16 years old). Because boys generally begin puberty at around 12 years old, as the penis and glans grow larger, the foreskin will automatically open like a petal, and most problems of foreskin being too long or phimosis will be solved. Only a few children need surgery (if they still have phimosis after puberty). Children's foreskin should be cleaned with clean water at ordinary times, and washed with light salt water when there is inflammation (redness and itching).

2. In fact, most cases of phimosis in children are caused by excessive foreskin, which has membranous adhesions to the glans penis and can be turned back to expose the glans penis. If necessary, you can ask a doctor to help gently lift up the foreskin, remove the smegma, apply clean medical paraffin oil on the glans penis (to prevent adhesion of inflammatory cellulose), and then roll the foreskin back into place (to prevent edema caused by foreskin incarceration). In the future you can turn it over and clean it often, but you still have to turn it over after washing. Over time, the narrow ring at the foreskin opening will disappear, and the glans penis will be easily exposed. If your child does have phimosis and it does not affect urination, the surgery can be performed after puberty, but you should insist on cleaning and regular check-ups, and try to avoid inflammation to prevent the foreskin from adhering to the glans penis and affecting the results of the surgery. If inflammation occurs frequently, surgery may be necessary as soon as possible.

3. Foreskin that is too long is a normal phenomenon in infants and young children. If the foreskin opening is narrow, the foreskin is adhered to the glans penis, and cannot be flipped back to expose the glans penis, it is called phimosis. Phimosis can cause dysuria and smegma. 90% of adult penile cancer patients have a history of phimosis. Therefore, phimosis should be treated surgically. The age for surgery is generally four or five years old; it can also be older. As long as the operation is performed properly, there will be no adverse effects on urination and sexual function.