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PAEDIATRIC UROLOGY

1.1 Background

At the end of the first year of life, retraction of the foreskin behind the glandular sulcus is possible in only about 50% of boys; this rises to approximately 89% by the age of three. The incidence of phimosis is 8% in 6- to 7-year-olds and just 1 % in males aged 16 to 18 years.

Paraphimosis must be regarded as an emergency situation: retraction of a too narrow prepuce behind the glans penis into the glandular sulcus may interfere with perfusion of the preputial surface distally from the constrictive ring and possibly of the glans penis with the risk of consecutive necrosis.