L. Lund et al., Effect of topical steroid on non-retractile prepubertal foreskin by a prospective, randomized, double-blind study, SC J UROL N, 34(4), 2000, pp. 267-269
Objective: The present study, conducted in Hong Kong, aimed to evaluate the
effect of topical steroid in non-retractile prepubertal foreskin by a pros
pective, randomized, double-blind design. Material and methods: 137 boys wi
th non-retractile foreskin were randomized to betamethasone (n = 66) or pla
cebo (n = 71) for 4 weeks with application of the cream twice daily. Non-re
sponders to treatment were offered steroid treatment for a further 4 weeks.
Results. The mean pretreatment grade of the foreskin in the steroid and co
ntrol groups was 5.08 +/- 0.66 and 4.97 +/- 0.70, respectively. At the 4-we
ek follow-up, 49 of the former (74%) had a retractile foreskin (grade less
than or equal to 3, mean 2.38 +/- 1.41). In contrast, only 31 of the contro
l group (44%) had a retractile foreskin (less than or equal to 3, mean 3.55
+/- 1.55) (p < 0.001). Only 14 boys were circumcised because 43 of the rem
aining 57 boys had a retractile foreskin after 4 weeks of treatment. Conclu
sion: when treatment is necessary, application of topical steroid as a firs
t line of treatment may avoid surgery in almost 90% of cases.