ABSTRACT
Phimosis is a tightness of the foreskin so that it cannot be drawn over the glans. It is most logically defined as either physiological or pathological. Physiological phimosis occurs because of the inability to retract infantile foreskin, owing to congenital adhesions between the glans and foreskin. By age 2-3 years, these adhesions break down and retraction becomes possible. However, around 6% of boys still have physiological phimosis at age of 10-11 years. Pathological phimosis occurs when the foreskin cannot be retracted after it has previously been retractable. Clinically this results in ballooning of the foreskin during urination. There may be mild obstruction to urinary flow or recurrent balanitis. Circumcision may be recommended if any of these pathological conditions are present.
