Do I need surgery for foreskin?

Whether surgery is required for circumcision depends on the specific circumstances. If there are no recurring infections or urinary problems, surgery is usually not required. Surgery is recommended when complications occur.

Excessive foreskin means that the head of the penis is completely wrapped by the foreskin but can be turned up manually. Most men have physiological foreskin. This condition is more common before puberty and may improve naturally with growth. Keeping the perineum clean and dry every day, avoiding the use of harsh lotions, and properly washing smegma can reduce the risk of infection. Choose breathable cotton underwear, and be sure to completely withdraw your foreskin when urinating to prevent urine stains from remaining. Observe whether there are any abnormalities such as foreskin redness, swelling, itching, and abnormal discharge. Premature intervention is not recommended when normal functions are not affected.

Conditions requiring surgical intervention include pathological phimosis (inability to turn up the foreskin with a narrow ring), recurrent balanitis (more than three episodes per year), difficulty urinating, or thinning of the urine line. Surgery is also required when combined with diseases such as genital warts and precancerous lesions of the penis. Circumcision is the most commonly used surgical procedure to solve the problem of mechanical obstruction by removing excess foreskin. Shanghuan ligation is minimally invasive with less bleeding and is suitable for children. After surgery, you need to keep the wound dry, avoid strenuous exercise that may cause suture breakage, and use erythromycin ointment as directed by your doctor to prevent infection.

Stay in bed for 3 days after surgery to reduce wound friction, and wear loose clothing to avoid compression. Use sterile gauze to isolate the wound when urinating, and wipe from front to back after defecation. It is forbidden to bathe for 1 week after the operation, and scrub the body instead. Do not have sex or masturbate for 1 month after surgery, and avoid using shower gel until the incision is completely healed. If there is persistent bleeding, purulent discharge or fever exceeding 38 degrees Celsius, you should return to the hospital for examination immediately. The daily diet should be light and appropriate vitamin C supplementation can promote wound healing.