Management of foreskin problems

Article Abstract:

The foreskin is the fold of skin that covers the end of the penis. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove the foreskin. It is an old and widely practiced custom. In many countries, including the United States, the parents decide whether or not the newborn male will be circumcised immediately after birth. The results of a recent study indicate that in many cases the decision to circumcise is made based on whether or not the father was circumcised. Circumcision is practiced not only for religious reasons but also for health reasons. The foreskin can cause several problems if it is not removed. If the opening in the foreskin is too small, for example, it becomes difficult for the urine to pass through. Some of the urine may become trapped inside the foreskin and this can cause an infection. This article describes the symptoms and treatment of 100 male patients who developed foreskin problems. Forty-nine percent of the patients complained that the foreskin was too tight, 39 percent had recurrent infections, and the opening in the foreskin was too small in 17 percent of the patients. Fifty-five percent of the patients elected to have circumcision as a treatment for their condition. The rest chose a more conservative approach, which involved methods such as stretching the foreskin. The conservative methods of treatment resulted in more frequent visits to a medical clinic, more complications, and longer post-visit follow-up periods. It is concluded that circumcision is an important procedure for managing foreskin problems. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infection, Prepuce (Anatomy), Foreskin

---

Genital self-mutilation: attempted foreskin reconstruction

Article Abstract:

A case is presented of a 33-year-old circumcised man who, because of his association with a group that lobbies against circumcision, attempted to reconstruct the foreskin on his penis. He used no anesthesia or other medication and he came for treatment only when he was unable to control his bleeding. Psychiatric evaluation revealed no psychotic disorder or psychosexual motivation. It was revealed that the patient felt a lifelong sense of being deformed and incomplete as a result of being circumcised. Through his organizational affiliation, he received brochures detailing techniques by which to reconstruct the foreskin. While the literature suggests that patients who are displeased with their body are often sensitive and insecure, there is also evidence that, like this man, there may be no history of psychiatric illness. Their personality traits are subclinical, that is to say they are often obsessional and narcissistic or exhibit other traits, but not to the extent that they would be diagnosed as having a personality disorder. The literature has focused on two groups that include most cases of reconstructed foreskin: Jews, and homosexuals. The patient in this case was neither. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Psychological aspects

---

Self-mutilation and malingering among Cuban migrants detained at Guantanamo Bay

Article Abstract:

Physicians who provide humanitarian aid to foreigners may find that many will feign illness to obtain asylum. This happened in 1994, when 30,000 Cubans were detained at the Guantanamo Bay naval base after attempting to escape from Cuba. The Clinton administration denied asylum in the US unless the immigrant needed medical care. Consequently, if an accidental injury occurred, several immigrants would deliberately injure themselves so they would be transferred to the US. When Clinton offered the immigrants asylum, the number of self-mutilations dropped substantially.

Emigration and immigration, Detention of persons, Detention, Cubans

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: The invisible intruders. Invisible problem: the phenomenon of phanton-limb is well-known among patients who have had amputations
• Abstracts: The distribution and mortality impact of chronic energy deficiency among adult Nigerian men and women. Energy requirements: general principles
• Abstracts: Status of lipidsoluble antioxidants and TRAP in patients with Crohn's disease and healthy controls. Phosphate supplementation in young men: lack of effect on calcium homeostasis and bone turnover
• Abstracts: Medical Management of Aldosterone-Producing Adenomas. The medical education of William Brooks Bigler (1863)
• Abstracts: Rhinitis: diagnosis and treatment. Bladder cancer: its diagnosis and treatment. Presentation and treatment of Hansen's disease

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.