[Preputial development in Japanese boys]

[Article in Japanese]

Ishikawa E, Kawakita M.

Department of Urology,
Ishikawa clinic.

The natural course of preputial development is still not clearly understood. The preputial retractability was evaluated in 242 Japanese boys. The incidence of having a retractable prepuce gradually increased with age from 0% at age 1 year to 77% by the age of 11 to 15 years. In 48 boys, preputial development was followed up for 2 to 10 years with the self-retract maneuver. Non-retractable prepuce was found in 9 boys, which then became retractable within 2-7 years. The prepuce became retractable in most of the boys with balanoposthitis. In conclusion, forced retraction or circumcision is unnecessary for phimosis in boys with or without balanoposthitis.

PMID: 15237481 [PubMed - in process]