A conservative treatment of phimosis in boys

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of topical app lications of clobetasol propionate cream in the treatment of phimosis in bo ys and a comparison of the results presented with an overview of the curren t studies. Methods: In a prospective study, 94 boys (mean age 5.5 years) were treated with topical applications of 0.05% clobetasol propionate cream twice daily. The prepuce was treated for 1 month, with an attempt at prepuce retraction after 14 days. The boys were evaluated after 1 month of treatment and ever y 3 months during follow-up. Results: Of the 94 boys, 91 were available for follow-up, of whom 42 boys ( 46.1%) achieved complete retraction of the prepuce, 24 (26.4%) had only pre putial adhesions and 4 (4.4%) had partial retraction. Twenty-one boys (23.1 %) had no response. The treatment was continued in 13 boys with good result s eventually. Seven boys (7.7%) had recurrence after a mean follow-up of 4. 3 months (range 2-7). No side effects were noted. Circumcision was necessar y in 24 of the 91 boys (26.4%). The mean follow-up was 11.0 months (range 3 -18). Conclusions: Local application of clobetasol propionate cream is a simple, safe and effective treatment for phimosis in boys and avoids circumcision a nd its associated risks. It should be offered first instead of circumcision . Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.