Stuck foreskin, pain… The man must consult very quickly in the event of paraphimosis to avoid necrosis.
Paraphimosis constitutes a medical-surgical emergency for humans. In the absence of rapid support, it can lead to necrosis.
What is paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis refers to retraction of the foreskin behind the glans. “In natural position, the foreskin covers the glans at the end of the penis. In certain situations (need to urinate, clean or erect), the foreskin will naturally position itself behind the glans, in the balano-preputial groove. In case of paraphimosis, the foreskin remains retracted back and gets stuck. It then becomes impossible to bring it forward so that it covers the tip of the penis. indicates Dr. Vincent Hupertan, surgeon-urologist. Paraphimosis created pain, foreskin swells and the phenomenon is growing. It’s like a ring that’s a little tight and you can’t get it off because your finger has swollen. “Paraphimosis represents a medical-surgical emergency“, warns the specialist.
What causes paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis is normal in babies and little boys. In adolescents and adults, it can be caused by prolonged irritation of the foreskin or infection. “This phenomenon occurs when the foreskin swells and remains retracted backwards, particularly after cleaning a little boy’s penis or after a medical procedure. Paraphimosis cannot occur in circumcised subjects since their foreskin has been removed”, explains the urological surgeon.
Paraphimosis manifests itself essentially by the fact that the foreskin cannot be pulled toward the front of the penis. The glans is purplish and edema may appear. This phenomenon is associated with discomfort and pain.
How long does paraphimosis last?
Paraphimosis persists until treatment is administered.
What are the consequences of paraphimosis?
Paraphimosis constitutes a medical-surgical emergency. If not treated quickly, swelling of the foreskin can interrupt blood circulation to the glans and lead to necrosis of it. “This unfortunate consequence can particularly occur in a diabetic patient who has an indwelling catheter. The foreskin moves behind, we do not notice it and the glans becomes necrotic,” specifies our interlocutor.
What treatment to treat paraphimosis?
Treatment of paraphimosis can be done in two ways:
► After applying anesthetic gel to the patient’s glans, the doctor gently pulls. It is a simple and quick maneuver that allows the foreskin to be quickly put back in place.
► The surgical technique consists of making an incision at the level of the preputial ring to remove the obstruction.
► In case of infectionantibiotics may be administered.
“In any case, once the foreskin is in place, it is necessary to schedule a circumcision because paraphimosis always recurs. This also helps to avoid infection,” adds Dr. Vincent Hupertan.
Thanks to Dr. Vincent Hupertan, sexologist urological surgeon, blog UROBLOG.FR and author of ENCYCLOPENIS.