Penile Skin Adhesion and Penile Skin Bridge
What are penile adhesions and skin bridges?
- Penile adhesions in circumcised boys occur when the skin on the shaft of the penis becomes attached to the head of the penis, also known as the glans. The glans is the rounded structure located at the end of the penis.
- Skin bridges, on the other hand, refer to a thicker and more permanent attachment between the skin of the shaft and the coronal margin, which is the circular border near the tip of the penis. This attachment can result in the formation of a tunnel-like connection under the skin that links the shaft and the coronal margin.
Causes and Symptoms of Penile Adhesions and Skin Bridges
Penile adhesions and skin bridges can happen for several reasons, including a lack of proper skin retraction during circumcision or pressure from a large pubic fat pad. Adhesions that are left untreated can eventually become skin bridges.
These conditions often do not cause any symptoms or pain, but a child may experience a tugging feeling during erections as they grow. Penile adhesions and skin bridges are typically visible to the eye and may cause the penis to appear buried in the pubic fat pad.
In some cases, adhesions can lead to the buildup of dead skin cells and oil, which can result in a white discharge known as smegma.
It is important to note that this discharge is not an infection.
If your child is still in diapers, you will be asked to retract the extra skin several times per day and apply petroleum jelly such as Vaseline® to prevent adhesions. If the diaper is wet and sticky, this can increase the chance of penile adhesions.
How are penile adhesions and skin bridges treated?
- Some penile adhesions may resolve on their own as an infant’s penis grows and with spontaneous erections.
- Penile adhesions can be treated with a topical steroid cream that can be used at home needs to be applied twice per day for six weeks. The steroid cream thins the skin around the adhesions, allowing them to be slowly treated over time as the penile skin is pulled back with each diaper change. This cream can cause skin discoloration (getting lighter or darker) in the surrounding penile skin. If you notice skin discoloration, stop using the cream immediately and contact your doctor.
- Repair in the our clinic requires a numbing lotion to be applied to your son’s penis prior to the adhesions being taken down. This lotion will stay on for 20-30 minutes prior to the adhesions being treated. The takedown of the adhesions takes approximately 5 minutes.