A frenuloplasty is an operation to re-suture a short penile frenulum in a legnthwise fashion.
What are the benefits?
The main benefit is to prevent pain and discomfort during intercourse or whilst retracting your foreskin.
About the procedure
What to expect
We are able to perform this procedure under both general anaesthetic as a day case procedure or under local anaesthetic in an outpatient treatment room.
Bath / Shower
You can bath/shower as often as you wish from the day after your procedure.
Treatment options
Are there any alternatives to a Circumcision?
Under some circumstances, other treatments may be considered, but circumcision remains the most common treatment options to relieve your symptoms. Alternatives to a circumcision include:
- Frenuloplasty this is an operation to cut and lengthen your frenulum, which is the small tag of skin on the underside of your penis, between your foreskin and the shaft of your penis. If the frenulum is short or torn, you may have problems pulling your foreskin back.
- Dorsal slit in this procedure the foreskin is cut to widen and loosen it, so it can be pulled back more easily.
- Prepuceplasty this is a more minor procedure than a circumcision. The foreskin is cut and stitched to widen it.
Your consultant can explain these treatments if they are suitable for you.
Recovery
How soon will I recover?
You might feel dizzy and tired when you go home after the operation if you have had a general anaesthetic. Please rest for the remainder of the day and following day to help recovery. You may also have:
- Swelling you can expect a little swelling and bruising at the wound site. There may also be a bit of oozing yellow coloured fluid.
- Stitches these will dissolve or fall out on their own about 14 to 21 days after the operation. Some parts of the stiches may take up to 6 weeks to dissolve. They do not need to be removed.
- A dressing over the wound this will fall off on its own and does not normally need to be replaced. If the dressing does not fall off on its own you may remove it in the bath or shower the day after your operation.
It is possible you may have some bleeding from the foreskin, although this is unusual. If cleaning does occur, use a clean cloth and press firmly on the area for 15 minutes. If it doesn’t stop you will need to go to your nearest A&E department.
Sexual Intercourse
Please do not have sexual intercourse for six weeks after the operation. This will:
- Help your wound to heal
- Help to avoid infection
- Help to lower the risk of bleeding