Post Date December, 02 2023
Phimosis refers to the narrow opening of the foreskin, which cannot be turned up to expose the penis head. The slight epithelial adhesion between the inner plate of the foreskin and the surface of the penis head is absorbed, the foreskin shrinks, and the penis head is exposed. If the adhesion is not absorbed, it forms a congenital phimosis. Acquired phimosis is often secondary to inflammation of the foreskin of the penis, resulting in scar contracture of the foreskin opening. If phimosis is serious, it can cause dysuria and even urinary retention. "When foreskin scale accumulates, there can be a itching sensation on the penis.". Long term chronic stimulation can induce infection and canceration, leukoplakia, and stones.
What are the early symptoms of phimosis? In children with phimosis, due to the accumulation of foreskin scales in the foreskin cavity, penile foreskin inflammation can be induced. The manifestation is a significant increase in the frequency of urination. "During acute inflammation, the foreskin can appear red and swollen, and in severe cases, it can produce purulent secretions, accompanied by systemic toxic symptoms such as fever.". Accumulation of foreskin dirt in the coronal sulcus across the foreskin shows a small white mass that is often mistaken by parents for a tumor and leads to medical attention. Sometimes the opening of the foreskin is as small as the eye of a needle. When urinating, urine first accumulates in the foreskin cavity, causing the foreskin to expand like a cyst, resulting in elongated urinary lines, and difficulty urinating. Prolonged difficulty urinating can lead to the formation of bladder and urethral stones, bladder ureteral reflux, and kidney damage. Incarcerated phimosis, severe pain, prepuce edema, difficulty urinating, prolonged incarcerated prepuce necrosis.
The diagnosis of phimosis can be made only by physical examination.
(Intern Editor: Xie Yunsheng)
