FORESKIN RETRACTION FOR PHIMOSIS OF THE NEWBORN

BACKGROUND: No guideline exists on how to treat boy's phimosis. We examined if retraction of the foreskin of the newborn boy's penis could make true phimosis become false phimosis. METHODS: We taught the mother to retract the foreskin and keep inside the foreskin clean. Exposure degree of glans by retraction of foreskin was defined in 7 grades, 0 (none) approximately III (middle) approximately VI (full). RESULTS: Of the 538 newborn examined, none had full exposure (VI). All of the 372 cases who continued the procedure, including 2 buried penis, gained full exposure (VI). Average time for full exposure according to the first degree of exposure was 2.94 months (0), 1.78 months (III), 1.22 months (V), 2.32 months average, respectively. No serious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Retraction of the foreskin from the newborn period made all the true phimosis to be false phimosis and operative procedures became unnecessary.