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Diseases

Paraphimosis

OVERVIEW

  • Highlights & Basics
  • Images

DIAGNOSIS

  • Diagnostic Approach
  • Risk Factors
  • History & Exam
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Criteria
  • Screening

TREATMENT

  • Tx Approach
  • Tx Options
  • Emerging Tx
  • Prevention

FOLLOW-UP

  • Overview
  • Complications

REFERENCES

  • Citations
  • Guidelines
  • Credits

PATIENT RESOURCES

  • Patient Instructions

Highlights & Basics

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Key Highlights
  • Paraphimosis is a condition caused when the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis is retracted and left behind the glans, leading to vascular engorgement and edema of the distal glans.

  • In its acute form, it is a medical emergency requiring rapid evaluation and possible surgical decompression.

  • Can occur at any age but is most common in children and older people.

  • Circumcision is preventative and is curative if the process develops.

  • Most cases are iatrogenic in etiology.

Quick Reference

  • History & Exam

    • Key Factors

      • Other Factors

        More information...
      • Diagnostics Tests

          More information...
        • Treatment Options

            More information...

          Definition

          Epidemiology

          Etiology

          Pathophysiology

          content by BMJ Group
          Last updated

          Images

          • Diagram illustrating paraphimosis

            Diagram illustrating paraphimosis

          • Paraphimosis

            Paraphimosis

          • Paraphimotic ring

            Paraphimotic ring

          • Diagram illustrating the technique for manual reduction of paraphimosis

            Diagram illustrating the technique for manual reduction of paraphimosis

          • Prereduction of paraphimosis

            Prereduction of paraphimosis

          • Process of manual manipulation of paraphimosis

            Process of manual manipulation of paraphimosis

          • Dorsal slit for management of paraphimosis

            Dorsal slit for management of paraphimosis

          • Dorsal slit for management of paraphimosis

            Dorsal slit for management of paraphimosis

          • Completed dorsal slit and reduction of the paraphimosis

            Completed dorsal slit and reduction of the paraphimosis

          Citations

            Key Articles

            • European Association of Urology. Paediatric urology. Mar 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • Manjunath AS, Hofer MD. Urologic emergencies. Med Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;102(2):373-85.[Abstract]

            • British Association of Paediatric Urologists. Management of foreskin conditions. 2017 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            Referenced Articles

            • 1. McGregor TB, Pike JG, Leonard MP. Pathologic and physiologic phimosis: approach to the phimotic foreskin. Can Fam Physician. 2007 Mar;53(3):445-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 2. European Association of Urology. Paediatric urology. Mar 2022 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 3. Manjunath AS, Hofer MD. Urologic emergencies. Med Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;102(2):373-85.[Abstract]

            • 4. Rangarajan M, Jayakar SM. Paraphimosis revisited: is chronic paraphimosis a predominantly third world condition? Trop Doct. 2008 Jan;38(1):40-2.[Abstract]

            • 5. Williams JC, Morrison PM, Richardson JR. Paraphimosis in elderly men. Am J Emerg Med. 1995 May;1(3):351-3.[Abstract]

            • 6. Manjunath AS, Hofer MD. Urologic emergencies. Med Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;102(2):373-85.[Abstract]

            • 7. Choe JM. Paraphimosis: current treatment options. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Dec 15;62(12):2623-6, 2628.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 8. Abara EO. Prepuce health and childhood circumcision: choices in Canada. Can Urol Assoc J. 2017 Jan-Feb;11(1-2 suppl 1):S55-62.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 9. Lee B, Vangipuram R, Petersen E, et al. Complications associated with intimate body piercings. Dermatol Online J. 2018 Jul 15;24(7).[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 10. Verma S. Coital penile trauma with severe paraphimosis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2005 Jan;19(1):134-5.[Abstract]

            • 11. Ramdass MJ, Naraynsingh V, Kuruvilla T, et al. Case report. Paraphimosis due to erotic dancing. Trop Med Int Health. 2000 Dec;5(12):906-7.[Abstract]

            • 12. Yiqiter M, Arda IS, Hicsonmez A. An unusual cause of paraphimosis: hemangioma of the glans penis. J Pediatr Surg. 2008 Feb;43(2):e31-3.[Abstract]

            • 13. Reynard JM, Barua JM. Reduction of paraphimosis the simple way - the Dundee technique. BJU Int. 1999 May;83(7):859-60.[Abstract]

            • 14. Palmisano F, Gadda F, Spinelli MG, et al. Glans penis necrosis following paraphimosis: a rare case with brief literature review. Urol Case Rep. 2017 Nov 13;16:57-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 15. Kato T, Mizuno K, Nishio H, et al. Can lichen sclerosus be diagnosed by preputial appearance or symptoms? Res Rep Urol. 2018 Sep 18;10:89-94.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 16. Berk DR, Lee R. Paraphimosis in a middle-aged adult after intercourse. Am Fam Physician. 2004 Feb 15;69(4):807-8.[Abstract][Full Text]

            • 17. Tsai SL, Reynoso E, Shin DW, et al. Acupuncture as a nonpharmacologic treatment for pain in a pediatric emergency department. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2018 Sep 21 [Epub ahead of print].[Abstract]

            • 18. Turner CD, Kim HL, Cromie WJ. Dorsal band traction for reduction of paraphimosis. Urology. 1999 Nov;54(5):917-8.[Abstract]

            • 19. British Association of Paediatric Urologists. Management of foreskin conditions. 2017 [internet publication].[Full Text]

            • 20. Kerwat R, Shandall A, Stephenson B. Reduction of paraphimosis with granulated sugar. Br J Urol. 1998 Nov;82(5):755.[Abstract]

            • 21. Barone JG, Fleisher MH. Treatment of paraphimosis using the "puncture" technique. Pediatr Emerg Care. 1993 Oct;9(5):298-9.[Abstract]

            • 22. DeVries CR, Miller AK, Packer MG. Reduction of paraphimosis with hyaluronidase. Urology. 1996 Sep;48(3):464-5.[Abstract]

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