phimosis

Posted by katclarke (670 days ago)

Hi, my little boy is 3 1/2 y.o. I believe he has a condition called phimosis (his foreskin has not yet retracted). Has any other mums and dads out there had to deal with this situation? and if anyone can recommend a paediatrician in HK who specialises in this area would be much appreciated. Have read that circumcision is not necessary anymore and that steroid cream can be used to treat this condition?

(I am based in Macau)

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Posted by ohga (667 days ago)

My son, now aged 11, had the same thing and had surgery aged 5. I got a second opinion after a (government)doctor recommended surgery and the second doctor( a private GP) attempted to (gently!)stretch the skin as apparently this sometimes works. However he concluded the tightness was too great and recommended surgery. So, we went ahead and he had the procedure done at Queen Mary Hospital - it's very simple and quick and he stayed in only until the evening. As long as the first wee goes ok they let you home! To be honest any general surgeon can do this very simple procedure. If you're looking to come to Hong Kong you could see one of the paediatricians at the Matilda Hospital on the Peak who are excellent. They can confirm if it's necessary and easily organise the op from there. I haven't heard of any cream that can cure this as it's not an infection , just tight skin and I would trust that a Dr wouldn't operate on a littleboy if not necessary.
Anyway good luck and don't worry - they make it as painless as possible!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by tacro (667 days ago)

It's true that now some paediatricians do use topical steroid cream on the foreskin and ask you to try gently to attempt to retract the foreskin every day. This may sometimes work if the foreskin is not too tight. They ususally give it a try for 4 wks to see if this method works.

(I am based in Unspecified)

Posted by katclarke (665 days ago)

thanks for your replies, will look into getting an appointment to get him checked out. thanks again.

(I am based in Macau)

Posted by notaclue (430 days ago)

My son's pediatrician also recommended it when he was young. I kept putting it off thinking it will self correct as he gets older. He is 10 now, and at the last checkup the doctor was still suggesting this be done. Is he too old for this surgery now? How long does he need to stay off sports after the procedure?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by katclarke (429 days ago)

We had our son circumcised in the end and it was a very straight forward day procedure - we went to Matilda and they were fantastic. Healing time was very quick, operation was on Friday, he was happy to run and join in mini sports on the Tuesday and I sent him back to school on Wednesday. But my son is only 4 and hence healing time obviously quicker when you are younger also each persons pain threshold is very different (I think ours is very high). Not nice seeing your little ones go through any procedure like this but we are glad we did what we had to do. Speak with your pedi, they may say wait until puberty as he is not far off now. Good luck.

(I am based in Macau)

Posted by nuttall (428 days ago)

My son (now 21) had phimosis. The advice given when he was young was to leave it alone. Nature has a way of tending to this (nocturnal erections etc as they get older stretches the skin without medical interference). That said, sometimes the foreskin is just too tight but I would wait as long as possible....surgery is surgery and should always be considered very very carefully.

(I am based in Hong Kong)