First of all, the definition of both must be clear, prepuce refers to the foreskin can be flipped to expose the glans, but the foreskin is long, “beak-like” or “teapot mouth-like”. The definition of circumcision is the narrow opening of the foreskin, so that the foreskin can not be flipped to reveal the head of the penis. However, this definition is often only appropriate for children and adults after puberty. For children before the age of 3 years, because most of the foreskin adhesions do not allow the glans to be exposed, the diagnosis of prepuce cannot yet be made and the key is the presence of a foreskin reduction ring. Regarding the choice of the age of surgery about 25% of men worldwide are circumcised due to religious, cultural, medical and parental decisions, and in foreign countries it is mostly done in the newborn period.
In our country, due to the relative lag in health education and traditional beliefs, circumcision is mostly chosen in the preschool years. There are also advantages to surgery in hot weather (children can wear open pants for activities). The following is some general knowledge about circumcision and prepuce. Repeated inflammation makes the foreskin mouth have scar contracture formation, forming a fiber narrowing ring – “scar circumcision”, affecting urination and penile development. The foreskin and circumcision often develop into adult circumcision or even prepuce after puberty. For the critical state of prepuce or circumcision, you can refer to the circumcision of the child’s father, which has a clear genetic tendency.
Indications for circumcision: 1, circumcision; 2, after peri-circumcision; 3, scar circumcision; 4, parental or patient request.
With the improvement of the quality of life and the characteristics of the foreskin of Chinese adults, the current indications for circumcision are relatively loose. Treatment For “prepuce” without narrowing ring, the foreskin mouth can be expanded repeatedly and gently by hand, and it will heal itself at the age of 3. Some of those with narrow rings often do not heal themselves through expansion, and bring more pain to the child, so surgery is generally recommended. For circumcision, local cleaning is usually done and surgical treatment is opportune. Acquired prepuce (scarring prepuce) is mostly secondary to circumcision of the penis head (peri-circumcision) and trauma to the foreskin and penis head, and requires surgery. The general operation time is after three weeks of age, but if the foreskin is repeatedly inflamed or scar contracture can be operated earlier. Our department uses the new circumcision ring technology to treat pediatric circumcision and prepuce. The whole operation takes only 5-10 minutes, no sutures are needed during the operation, and the appearance is beautiful.