Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is a condition caused when the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis is retracted and left behind the glans, leading to vascular engorgement and oedema 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 preventive and is curative if the process develops.

Most cases are iatrogenic in aetiology.

Paraphimosis is a condition caused when the foreskin of the uncircumcised penis is retracted and left behind the glans penis, leading to vascular engorgement and oedema of the distal glans.[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. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1949079 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17872680?tool=bestpractice.com This condition is a medical emergency when identified acutely and requires prompt, effective treatment to prevent loss of the distal glans penis.[2]European Association of Urology. Paediatric urology. March 2022 [internet publication]. https://uroweb.org/guidelines/paediatric-urology [3]Manjunath AS, Hofer MD. Urologic emergencies. Med Clin North Am. 2018 Mar;102(2):373-85. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29406065?tool=bestpractice.com [Figure caption and citation for the preceding image starts]: Diagram illustrating paraphimosisFrom the collection of Dr Ranjiv Mathews [Citation ends].