Conclusions Compared to the placebo or manual reduction method , the topical steroid therapy is more effective in the treatment of phimosis in children .
Although there is still controversy in the different type and dosage of steroid , this could be used against phimosis before circumcision
Abstract Purpose We evaluated a systematic review on the therapeutic efficacy of topical steroids in children with phimosis to provide data for the clinical options of pediatric phimosis .
Topical clobetasol propionate compared with placebo in the treatment of unretractable foreskin.
OBJECTIVE To assess whether it is the steroid alone or the gentle physical retraction combined with ointment that is responsible for the excellent results observed with topical steroid treatment of unretractable foreskin . DESIGN Prospect i ve , r and omised , double-blind study . SETTING University hospital , Sweden . SUBJECTS 30 Boys r and omised to be treated with clobetasol propionate ( n = 15 ) or placebo ( n = 15 ) . INTERVENTIONS The boys were examined 1 , 2 and 6 months , respectively , after treatment . MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Comparison between the effects of clobetasol propionate and placebo .  RESULTS Two patients in the steroid group and one in the placebo group withdrew from the study . 10 Boys in the steroid group showed an improvement within 2 months . The remaining 3 boys had no effect and were circumcised . Histopathological examination showed lichen sclerosus et atrophicus . Seven boys in the placebo group improved . The 7 non-responders were prescribed  clobetasol propionate ointment  , and all 7 improved . CONCLUSION 17 of 27 boys referred with " phimosis " were successfully treated with an ointment and gentle traction . When clobetasol propionate was given the non-responders success rate was increased to 24/27 ( 89 % )
Conclusions Compared to the placebo or manual reduction method , the topical steroid therapy is more effective in the treatment of phimosis in children .
Although there is still controversy in the different type and dosage of steroid , this could be used against phimosis before circumcision
Abstract Purpose We evaluated a systematic review on the therapeutic efficacy of topical steroids in children with phimosis to provide data for the clinical options of pediatric phimosis .