EMERGENCY REDUCTION OF PARAPHIMOSIS

Paraphimosis in uncircumcised or incompletely circumcised children is a serious and painful condition requiring prompt reduction to prevent possible necrosis of the glans or urinary obstruction. Techniques desc ribed to reduce oedema distal to the constricting ring include applica tion of ice packs, compressive elastic bandages, and making a dorsal s lit which necessitates later circumcision. We have used a simple ''pun cture'' technique to treat successfully an uncircumcised 12-year-old b oy with severe paraphimosis. An 18 gauge hypodermic needle was used to puncture the oedematous foreskin at multiple sites, followed by gentl e manual compression. This resulted in rapid diminution of the swellin g, permitting easy manual reduction of the prepuce. Circumcision can t hen be performed if so desired.