Penile frenulectomy

Penis with frenulum breve
Specialty	Urology

Frenulectomy of the penis is a surgical procedure for cutting and removal of the frenulum of prepuce of penis, to correct a condition known as frenulum breve. This condition prevents the full retraction of the foreskin with or without an erection.

It is a simple and normally painless procedure that is performed in a urologist's office. First the physician applies a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine/prilocaine cream on the frenulum and surrounding area. In half hour he checks to see if the patient has any feeling there. If not he proceeds with the procedure, otherwise he may recommend that it be performed in a hospital, with stronger anesthesia.

Once the frenulum is cut, the physician applies stitches to close the wound. The patient is given a prescription for pain killers to take in case there is pain afterwards, but usually the only discomfort is from the pricking of the stitches on the foreskin. Once the stitches are removed, in about 7 days, normal sexual activity can resume.