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 .
To circ or not to circ: clinical and pharmacoeconomic outcomes of a prospective trial of topical steroid versus primary circumcision.
PURPOSE To compare the efficacy and costs of circumcision versus topical treatment using a prospect i ve pharmacoeconomic protocol . MATERIAL S AND METHODS We treated 59 patients ( 3 - 10 years of age ) r and omized into two groups : 29 underwent an 8-week course of topical treatment with 0.2 % betamethasone-hyaluronidase cream twice a day ; and 30 underwent circumcision .  Topical treatment success was defined as complete exposure of the glans . In cases of treatment failure , circumcision was performed and its cost imputed to that of the initial treatment . The pharmacoeconomic aspects were defined according to the Brazilian National Public Health System data base and the Brazilian Community Pharmacies Index . RESULTS The two groups were statistically similar for all clinical parameters evaluated . Topical treatment result ed in complete exposure of the glans in 52 % of the patients . Topical treatment was associated with preputial pain and hyperemia . However , treatment suspension was unnecessary . Minor complications were observed in 16.6 % of the surgical group patients . The mean cost per patient was US$ 53.70 and US$ 125.20 , respectively , for topical steroid treatment ( including the costs related to treatment failure ) and circumcision . The total costs were US$ 2,825.32 and US$ 3,885.73 for topical treatment and circumcision , respectively . CONCLUSIONS Topical treatment of phimosis can reduce costs by 27.3 % in comparison with circumcision . Therefore , topical treatment of phimosis should be considered prior to the decision to perform surgery
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 .