Is frenuloplasty worthwhile? A 12-year experience.
BACKGROUND
Frenuloplasty is commonly performed. Its outcome has never been reported.


METHODS
We have performed 213 frenuloplasties since 1992. Patients were sent a questionnaire regarding indication, treatment advised on presentation, anaesthetic, outcome (linear analogue satisfaction score), and further intervention required.


RESULTS
Overall, 48 of 209 (23%) patients replied (median age of series, 27 years; range 16-78 years: and of respondents, 27 years; range, 17-78 years). Indications included tearing/bleeding of the foreskin (n = 32), balanitis (n = 3), pain on intercourse (n = 26), phimosis (n = 4), ejaculatory (n = 1) and hygiene (n = 1) problems. Twenty-five patients received general anaesthesia. Median satisfaction score was 8 (range, 1-10). Thirty-four patients would recommend frenuloplasty to another with similar symptoms. Three of nine patients initially advised to undergo circumcision later underwent circumcision (frenuloplasty satisfaction score, 1-3), 1 awaits circumcision (score, 5), 1 has a tight foreskin (score, 3), and 4 are satisfied (scores 6,9,10,10). In total, 23 of 209 patients (11%; median age, 27 years) underwent circumcision following frenuloplasty. Median time to circumcision was 11 months (range, 5-52 months).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the only reported series of frenuloplasty. The response rate reflects a young mobile population. Most men are satisfied with the outcome, including some initially advised to undergo circumcision. The overall rate of circumcision following frenuloplasty is likely to be 15-20%.
Rajan
Prabhakar
P
Department of Urology, The Freeman Hospital, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. prabs_rajan@yahoo.co.uk
McNeill
S Alan
SA
Turner
Kevin J
KJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D010413:Penis / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012606:Scotland; D016896:Treatment Outcome