Phimosis Treatment - Laser Surgery Procedure and Recovery

Why Choose Circumcision for Phimosis?

Before moving onto circumcision, your urologist may suggest to you some non-surgical alternatives for treating your phimosis, such as phimosis ointment and creams. However, circumcision is generally considered to be the most effective and safe treatment for phimosis.

While application of phimosis ointment may provide you with good initial results, they may not be long-lasting and your phimosis may reoccur once you have stopped using your prescribed phimosis medication.

In case of circumcision though, the foreskin itself is removed, meaning, chances of phimosis recurrence is almost zero.

Alongside, circumcision may also provide you with some additional benefits such as easier maintenance of genital hygiene and protection against various penile and foreskin related diseases such as paraphimosis or balanitis.

Recovery

In most cases, recovery after a circumcision surgery can take anywhere from 7-10 days.

Depending on various factors however, such as the method of surgery you choose, your overall health and quality of postoperative care, the exact time to recover after your surgery is likely to vary.

In this time period, it is important to strictly follow any guidelines or precautions set by your urologist to not only minimize chances of any postoperative complications but also boost recovery.

Some guidelines or precautions that your urologist may suggest you after your circumcision surgery include:

• Keeping the surgical site dry for the first 48 hours after surgery
• Refraining from smoking or drinking alcohol
• Staying hydrated. Drink 7-8 glasses of water everyday.
• Avoiding swimming pools or public baths 
• Refraining from sexual intercourse until your doctor thinks it’s safe to do so.
• Refraining from any strenuous exercise that may exert excessive pressure on your penis or its surrounding area.

Cost & Insurance

The average phimosis surgery costin India can range anywhere from Rs. 35,500 to Rs. 60,000. Depending on various factors, however, such as the method of your surgery, the cost of preoperative tests and diagnostics and the cost of postoperative medications, the exact cost of your surgery is likely to vary. 

Circumcision surgery is generally covered by most health insurance plans in India if it is deemed to be a medical necessity by your healthcare provider.

If left untreated, Phimosis can lead to a multitude of penis-related complications and diseases that not only affect your everyday life but also may require additional, more complex surgical procedures for treatment.

However, if the reason behind your circumcision is strictly cosmetic or religious in nature, it is highly unlikely that your insurance plan will provide coverage for it.

Prior to surgery, it is best to have a detailed discussion about your insurance plan and its inclusions and exclusions with your insurance provider. If you still have any queries, you can also get in touch with our insurance team at Pristyn Care for further assistance.

Benefits of Phimosis Surgery

Alongside its capability to effectively treat phimosis, circumcision also has various additional benefits. Some of the benefits that are commonly associated with circumcision surgery include:

• Easier penile hygiene: With the removal of the foreskin, it becomes easier to wash away any excess bacteria or smegma, a harmless substance made up of oils, skin cells and sweat, that may have accumulated over your penile glans overtime. 
• Decreased risk of Urinary Tract Infection: Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is an infection that may occur in any part of the urinary system. It is often found that compared to uncircumcised men, circumcised men are at a reduced risk of contracting UTIs. 
• Decreased risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Compared to uncircumcised men, circumcised men are generally found to be at a lower risk of contracting STDs. However, protection is considered to be modest, and safe sexual practices remain essential.
• Reduced risk of penile cancer: While penile cancer itself is a rare condition, it is even less common in circumcised men.
• Prevention or treatment of foreskin-related problems: Circumcision is generally considered to be an effective solution to a multitude of foreskin-related conditions, including foreskin infection, phimosis and paraphimosis.

How to Prepare Yourself Before Phimosis Surgery?

Generally, circumcision surgery does not require any special preparations. Following some simple steps that may be recommended to you by your urologist will likely be enough.

However, in case your doctor advises you any special precautions, make sure to follow them strictly. Some preoperative preparations that your urologist may advise you to make include:

• Avoid eating anything for at least 6 hours leading up to the surgery. However, it is advisable to drink water as per normal and stay hydrated.
• Take a shower or bath before arriving at the hospital and make sure to thoroughly clean and shave any pubic hair you may have. 
• Wear comfortable, tight fitting briefs. It will help you keep your penis in place after the surgery and keep your surgical dressing in place.
• Arrange for someone to drive you home or at least accompany you in a cab. 
• Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours leading up to the surgery. 
• If you have pre-existing prescriptions, it is advisable to inform your urologist about them. You can probably continue taking them as instructed however, your urologist may advise you to temporarily stop taking certain medications before arriving at the hospital.
• Arrange some time off work. 

Non-Surgical Treatment for Phimosis

Before going forward with a surgery, your healthcare provider may recommend some non-surgical alternatives to circumcision that may help you reduce symptoms of phimosis and provide effective phimosis treatment without surgery

Medications

Certain infections and skin conditions can also cause phimosis and in such cases, your urologist may prescribe you some medications for treatment. It is to be noted that before taking any phimosis medication, it is extremely important to consult your urologist first. Some phimosis medication that your urologist may prescribe are given below:

• Antibiotics or antifungal creams such as lotrimin
• Cyclosporine ointment
• Methotrexate
• Prednisone
• Mycophenolate
• Azithromycin
• Doxycycline

Home Remedies

Some methods of phimosis home treatment that you can perform for effective phimosis management include:

• Foreskin stretching: Mild to moderate cases of phimosis can be managed by simple stretching exercises that may be recommended by your doctor. Gently and slowly pulling the top of your foreskin using just 2 fingers may ease some of the symptoms you are facing.
• Ointments: Your urologist may recommend some ointments to help relieve some of the symptoms, such as pain, inflammation, and infection. 
• Retracting exercises: Retracting the foreskin over the penis glans regularly may also encourage better stretching of the foreskin. It is important to use extra caution during such exercises and avoid forcefully stretching the foreskin.
• Proper hygiene: Regardless of whether you have phimosis or not, maintaining good genital hygiene is important to significantly reduce your chances of getting phimosis. Using mild soap to clean your foreskin is a great way to maintain your genital hygiene and avoid excessive buildup of any bacteria or smegma. 
• Coconut oil: Using coconut oil can help you significantly in performing stretching exercises with your foreskin. As previously mentioned, however, it is important to be very gentle and slow with any stretching you perform.

Best Way to Cure Phimosis

Laser circumcision is generally considered to be the most safe and effective treatment for phimosis. Phimosis laser surgery uses a highly focused beam of laser to precisely cut and remove any excess foreskin that you may have.

Due to its precise nature and high operating temperatures, laser circumcision does not involve the risk of any deep cuts or excessive bleeding.

Phimosis laser surgery is also recommended by most urologists due to its shorter recovery and better postoperative quality of life as compared to conventional methods of circumcision, such as a stapler or open circumcision. 

Phimosis in Adulthood

Phimosis is a common condition that is found in almost all newborn babies. As a person continues to age, the foreskin continues to loosen up and does not require any surgical intervention.

In some cases, however, phimosis can last into adulthood and, depending on its severity, may require surgical procedures such as circumcision for effective phimosis cure.

Phimosis in adulthood can be a significant problem that affects your daily life and health. If left untreated, phimosis can lead to serious complications as well that may require additional and more complex surgical procedures for treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms of phimosis, it is advisable to contact your healthcare provider and undergo effective phimosis in adulthood treatment.

Side Effects of Phimosis Surgery

After your circumcision surgery, some common side effects, such as mild swelling, minor bleeding and discomfort, are to be expected and are considered normal.

These side effects generally do not require any medications or additional care and are expected to subside on their own in a few days. 

However, if these side effects seem to persist or worsen over time, it could be a sign of a complication. It is recommended to inform your healthcare provider about the symptoms you may be facing as soon as possible.

Some of the most common complications that are usually associated with phimosis surgery are given below:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Formation of scar tissue around the incision wound
• Tenderness around the scar
• Permanent reduction in sensation in the head of the penis
• Reaction to anesthesia

What if Phimosis is Left Untreated?

Having phimosis itself is not necessarily a problem. As long as phimosis does not cause any symptoms or affect your daily life, it does not require any surgical intervention.

However, if your phimosis is symptomatic and exhibiting symptoms such as pain, ballooning, pain, or discomfort during erection or pain while urinating, treatment is usually necessary. 

If you struggle with a severe case of phimosis, it is recommended to contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible.

If left untreated, phimosis can lead to serious complications such as recurrent infections, gangrene, penile cancer, permanent damage to the penis, or in some severe cases, loss of your penis.

Phimosis vs Paraphimosis

While phimosis and paraphimosis may sound similar, they are both different conditions which differ in not only causes but in symptoms as well. Some of the major differences between phimosis and paraphimosis are given below:

Ointment & Creams for Phimosis

There are several steroid-based as well as non-steroid based ointments available for the treatment of phimosis. These ointments help by loosening the foreskin and their success rate is around 70%.

Let’s look at some of the most widely used ointments for the treatment of phimosis:

1. Betnovate-N

It is the most common ointment used for treating phimosis. Betnovate-N is an ointment that contains a steroid named betamethasone valerate. In addition to this steroid, it has an antibacterial agent (neomycin sulphate), a preservative and a base.

Betnovate majorly helps in getting relief from eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus which are some of the common causes of phimosis. To get a sigh of relief from the redness, swelling and irritation caused due to phimosis,

You should apply the ointment twice or thrice a day for about 4-6 weeks to get. Doing so will bring you significant relief from redness, swelling, and irritation. Also, remember the ointment is not advisable for children under the age of 1 year. So, consult a doctor first, if your child is suffering from phimosis.

2. Temovate

Temovate is yet another topical steroid prescribed for the treatment of phimosis. It contains clobetasol propionate(0.05%) as an active ingredient.

Temovate is available both in the form of cream as well as ointments. Temovate acts against skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, etc and thus helps in reducing the swelling, itching, and redness. You should use Temovate twice a day for about 2 weeks. The usage of Temovate should not be continued for more than 2 weeks. Prolonged use of Temovate can have side-effects.

3. Canesten

Canesten is an anti-fungal cream that mainly contains Clotrimazole. Clotrimazole is a medicine that is used to treat fungal infections.

Thus, Canesten is prescribed for phimosis when the cause of phimosis is a fungal infection. Clotrimazole present in Canesten helps in reducing the inflammation and soreness caused due to phimosis.

4. Elocon

Elocon ointment contains a mild steroid named Mometasone furoate(0.1%). It has an anti-inflammatory effect on phimosis. Elocon is very effective in the treatment of eczema, lichen planus, psoriasis, etc. In addition to ointment form, Elocon is also available in the form of cream and lotion.

The type of product to use for phimosis depends upon the condition of the skin. This ointment helps in getting relief from swelling, redness, and itching in about 2 weeks. Elocon should not be used for children under the age of 2 years.

5. Novoglan

Novoglan is an organic cream that helps in stretching the foreskin. It contains natural ingredients with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

The major ingredients of Novoglan are neem seed oil, emu oil, evening primrose oil, rose geranium, jojoba oil, rice bran oil, wheat germ oil and Vitamin E.

You can apply Novoglan cream daily before stretching exercises. It conditions the foreskin and makes it easier to stretch. Thus, it is a very effective cream for phimosis that you can rely upon.

6. Aristospan

Aristospan is another topical steroid prescribed for phimosis. It contains Triamcinolone acetonide as the main active ingredient.

Triamcinolone acetonide has anti-inflammatory properties and helps in reducing the pain and soreness. This helps in loosening the skin and gentle stretching along with the use of Aristospan is really beneficial in the complete retraction of the skin.

7. Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid effective in the treatment of phimosis. It is available in a variety of products including lotions, creams, ointments, and gels.

Hydrocortisone is effective against eczema and psoriasis and helps reduce inflammation, itching in phimosis. Hydrocortisone products are mostly mild and sometimes contain anti-microbial medicines that treat bacterial and fungal infections.

8. Ilotycin

Ilotycin is a cream that contains erythromycin as the main component. Erythromycin is an antibiotic that is effective against bacterial infections. Ilotycin can be used for treating phimosis caused due to harmful bacterial growth.

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