What should I do if the glans and foreskin are connected together?

The glans and foreskin may be connected together due to foreskin adhesion, which can be treated by manual separation, local cleaning, drug application, foreskin expansion, circumcision, etc. Foreskin adhesion is usually caused by congenital developmental abnormalities, local infection, inflammatory stimulation, poor hygiene, trauma healing and other factors.

1. Separation of techniques

For mild adhesions, manual separation can be attempted under the guidance of a doctor. Before operation, the area needs to be cleaned with warm water, and the foreskin should be gently turned upward to expose the adhesions to avoid violent tearing that may cause bleeding or damage. After separation, rinse with saline and apply erythromycin ointment daily to prevent infection. Foreskin adhesions in infants and young children can be temporarily observed if there is no difficulty in urinating, and some parts will naturally separate with growth and development.

2. Partial cleaning

Wash the glans penis and the inside of the foreskin with warm water every day, focusing on removing smegma and other secretions. After cleaning and keeping dry, topical mupirocin ointment can be used to control bacterial infection. Avoid using harsh detergents, and parents should be gentle when cleaning children. People with repeated infections need to check for underlying diseases such as diabetes.

3. Drug application

Topical glucocorticoid ointment such as hydrocortisone butyrate cream can be applied to the adhesions to reduce the inflammatory reaction, and antibiotic ointment such as fusidic acid cream can be used to prevent infection. The drug should be applied evenly and thinly on the adhesions and should be used continuously for no more than two weeks. During medication, observe whether adverse reactions such as skin atrophy occur.

4. Foreskin dilation

For fibrous adhesions, vascular forceps or probes can be used for mechanical expansion under local anesthesia. After separation, Vaseline gauze strips can be placed to prevent re-adhesion. Postoperatively, patients need to be soaked in potassium permanganate solution every day and take oral cefaclor dispersible tablets to fight infection. This method is suitable for adult patients who do not want to undergo circumcision.

5. Circumcision

Patients with severe adhesions or recurrent infections need to undergo circumcision. Commonly used surgical procedures include traditional resection, Shang ring surgery, laser circumcision, etc. Postoperatively, the wound was disinfected with iodophor, and amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium tablets were taken orally to prevent infection. Children's surgery needs to be performed under general anesthesia, and parents should pay attention to the bleeding after surgery.

You should choose loose-fitting cotton underwear every day to reduce friction and avoid scratching the affected area. The diet should be light and spicy foods should be limited. Parents should seek medical attention promptly when infants and young children experience abnormal urination or foreskin redness, swelling and exudation. Adult patients are prohibited from sexual intercourse within 1 month after surgery, and are regularly reviewed to evaluate the healing status. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes need to actively control the underlying disease.