Topical triamcinolone for persistent phimosis

Between 2% and 5% of uncircumcised boys have persistent or pathological phimosis. Traditional treatment is usually circumcision. Recently medical treatment with topical corticosteroids has become more popular. We evaluated the efficacy of the topical steroid triamcinolone compared to foreskin retraction with an emollient cream and verified the long-term success rate of these treatments.

We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled study to compare 2-month twice daily treatment with emollient cream (placebo group 1) vs 0.1% triamcinolone (experimental group 2). Boys between ages 3 and 12 years with persistent or pathological phimosis were included in analysis. Study EXCLUSION criteria were previous treatment with topical corticosteroid, untreated balanitis and any known medical condition with immune system impairment. Patients were seen 2, 4 and 12 months after treatment initiation. Success was defined as complete, easy foreskin retraction at 4 and 12 months. Statistical analysis was done using Fisher's exact test.

We enrolled 63 patients, of whom 43 completed the study. Despite multiple attempts 20 patients had incomplete followup and were excluded from study. Placebo group 1 included 25 patients and triamcinolone group 2 included 21. In group 1 the success rate was significantly lower than in group 2 (9 patients or 39% vs 16 or 76%, p = 0.0086). At 2 months 5 and 16 nonresponders in groups 2 and 1, respectively, were treated in nonblinded fashion with topical triamcinolone. In this subgroup 1 of 3 group 2 patients and 6 of 13 in group 1 achieved complete, easy retraction. Two and 1 patients were lost to followup in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Circumcision was required in only 5 patients (11.6%), including 4 (17.4%) initially in group 1. No complications were noted in either group.

Triamcinolone is a highly effective and safe short-term treatment for persistent physiological or pathological phimosis. However, at long-term followup recurrence is frequent and not rare with triamcinolone and it may require re-treatment or circumcision.