Topical corticosteroids offer an effective alternative for treating phimosis in boys .
Although sub optimal reporting among the included studies meant that the size of the effect remains uncertain , corticosteroids appear to be a safe , less invasive first-line treatment option before undertaking surgery to correct phimosis in boys
BACKGROUND Until recently , phimosis has been treated surgically by circumcision or prepuceplasty ; however , recent reports of non-invasive treatment using topical corticosteroids applied for four to eight weeks have been favourable .
The efficacy and safety of topical corticosteroids for treating phimosis in boys has not been previously systematic ally review ed .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to 1 ) compare the effectiveness of the use of topical corticosteroid ointment applied to the distal stenotic portion of the prepuce in the resolution of phimosis in boys compared with the use of placebo or no treatment , and 2 ) determine the rate of partial resolution ( improvement ) of phimosis , rate of re-stenosis after initial resolution or improvement of phimosis , and the rate of adverse events of topical corticosteroid treatment in boys with phimosis .
Phimosis: stretching methods with or without application of topical steroids?
Phimosis has been defined as unretractable foreskin without adherences or a circular b and of tight prepuce preventing full retraction . We suggested a new treatment protocol combining betamethasone with stretching exercises to reduce the number of patients requiring surgery for phimosis . Between January 2003 and September 2004 , 247 boys aged 4 to 14 years ( mean 7.6 ) were included in this consecutive , prospect i ve , open study . Patients were treated with 0.05 % betamethasone cream applied to the distal aspect of the prepuce twice daily for the first 15 days , then once daily for 15 more days . Preputial gymnastics started 1 week after topical application of betamethasone . Ninety-six percent of patients receiving 1 or more cycles of betamethasone showed complete resolution of phimosis . There was a significant difference ( P < .001 ) in response rate between the study and control groups . Only 10 boys in the study group had no response to steroid and stretching . Treatment with topical steroids , combined with stretching exercises , is a suitable alternative to surgical correction ( preputial plasty/circumcision )
Topical corticosteroids offer an effective alternative for treating phimosis in boys .
Although sub optimal reporting among the included studies meant that the size of the effect remains uncertain , corticosteroids appear to be a safe , less invasive first-line treatment option before undertaking surgery to correct phimosis in boys
BACKGROUND Until recently , phimosis has been treated surgically by circumcision or prepuceplasty ; however , recent reports of non-invasive treatment using topical corticosteroids applied for four to eight weeks have been favourable .
The efficacy and safety of topical corticosteroids for treating phimosis in boys has not been previously systematic ally review ed .
OBJECTIVES We aim ed to 1 ) compare the effectiveness of the use of topical corticosteroid ointment applied to the distal stenotic portion of the prepuce in the resolution of phimosis in boys compared with the use of placebo or no treatment , and 2 ) determine the rate of partial resolution ( improvement ) of phimosis , rate of re-stenosis after initial resolution or improvement of phimosis , and the rate of adverse events of topical corticosteroid treatment in boys with phimosis .