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 .
The conservative treatment of phimosis in boys.
OBJECTIVE To further test the application of topical steroids in boys referred to a paediatric surgical practice with pathological , non-retractable foreskins diagnosed as phimosis . PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospect i ve study comprised two groups of 20 boys each ( mean age 4.1 years , range 3 - 6 ) diagnosed as having phimosis ; twice daily , a topical steroid ( 0.05 % betamethasone cream ) was applied on the narrowed preputial skin in the first group and a neutral cream ( Vaseline ) in the second ( control ) group . Patients were treated for 4 weeks and the retractability of the foreskin and any side-effects assessed . RESULTS Good retraction of the foreskin was achieved in 19 patients treated with betamethasone cream and the response was unsatisfactory in 16 patients from the control group ; these 16 boys and one 6-year-old boy treated with betamethasone were circumsized . There were no side-effects or problems after the application of either cream . CONCLUSION Treatment with 0.05 % betamethasone cream is a simple and safe method for the treatment of phimosis in boys older than 3 years . An early operation is necessary in cases of genuine phimosis when 1 month of treatment with topical steroids has failed . We strongly support the saying , " The fortunate foreskin of an infant boy will usually be left well alone by everyone but its owner '
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 .