The surgical procedure of a short penile frenulum by dividing the skin across and re-stitching it in a lengthwise fashion.
You have a tight frenulum that can cause a tear or pain during sexual activity. This can cause problems with recurring scarring of the frenulum area.
The frenulum is a skin ridge which connects the foreskin to the head (glans) of the penis. Frenulum breve means short or tight frenulum of the penis. This may cause pain with erection, tears, bleeding, laceration and penile bending. The tight frenulum can have repeated trauma during sexual activity. This can cause problems with scarring of the frenulum area. Frenuloplasty is not suitable if your foreskin is scarred due to BXO. Please see further information for BXO.
There are three options for treating a tight frenulum without balanitis:
1. Observation – no specific treatment in mild cases
2. Circumcision, which means that the foreskin is removed completely. The advantage of this operation is that once the foreskin is removed, then you will not have any problems related to the foreskin. The head of the penis is exposed permanently after the operation, and the procedure is irreversible.
3. Frenuloplasty, which is simply a foreskin-releasing procedure. An incision is made on the frenulum, or the ridge underneath the surface is excised, thus allowing full retraction. This will allow you to retain your foreskin but at the same time be able to keep the area underneath clean.
The benefit is that he retains his foreskin. Frenuloplasty helps to get rid of the bending of the penis. Circumcision used to be a commonly practised operation and, on many occasions, was performed with excellent results.
Details of the procedure
1. I usually carry out the procedure under a local anaesthetic injection.
2. Local anaesthetic nerve blocks also provide post-operative pain relief
3. I divide the frenulum and re-stitch it lengthwise, lengthening the frenulum.
4. I use dissolvable stitches that usually disappear within two to three weeks.
5. I apply and seal the wound with modern glue, which sloughs off within ten days.
6. We normally wrap the penis in a loose bandage which you can remove after 1-2 days.
Bruising and swelling of the penis, which may last a few days. Most operations are straightforward; however, as with any surgical procedure, there is some chance of side effects or complications, such as Bleeding from the wound site, but it is usually minimal and settles quickly. Infection can occur and is usually mild but can be potentially serious (less than 1% of patients). Sensation may alter with this procedure. The infection requires antibiotics and a medicated honey dressing/gel.
Tenderness of the scar at the site of your frenulum. The dissatisfaction with the cosmetic result. Failure to improve your symptoms may result in the need for full circumcision, Redo operation or full circumcision: 10% foreskin becoming tight again due to scarring. The best alternative for the tight foreskin is circumcision.
• You will get some swelling and bruising of the penis, which may last several days
• All your stitches will disappear, usually within two to three weeks, but it may sometimes take a little longer
• Simple painkillers such as paracetamol or Ibuprofen are helpful if you have any discomfort
• Any dressing should fall off within 24 hours; if it does not, or if it becomes soaked with urine, it should be removed
• Keep the area dry for 48 hours; avoid soaking in a bath
• You should not swim or do any exercise for two weeks
• Try to keep your wound clean and dry after passing urine
• Apply a little Vaseline to the tip of your penis and around the stitch line to stop it sticking to your clothing
• Wear tight-fitting clothing for two to three days
• You should retract your foreskin daily to maintain the benefits of the surgery after three days
• You will be given a copy of a letter which should be given to your GP
• Any antibiotics or another cream you need to get from any pharmacy
• You should refrain from sexual activity (intercourse and masturbation) for up to four to six weeks
Smoking and Surgery: Ideally, we would prefer you to stop smoking before any procedure. Smoking can worsen some urological conditions and make complications more likely after surgery.
Instructions after frenuloplasty: Three days after the operation, you must retract his foreskin each day to avoid the foreskin becoming tight again due to scarring. If you are concerned about these risks or have further queries, please get in touch with us immediately.
Note: This is the information for guidance only, it will not be a replacement of professional opinion by medical doctors. Please call Mr Khan for any issues.