Phimosis has been defined as unretractable foreskin without adherences and/or a circular band of tight prepuce preventing full retraction. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy (response rate) of topical
steroids for the treatment of tight
phimosis at different age stages. After using the same medication with different dosage schemes, a retrospective analysis was carried out to assess the efficacy of topical
steroids in the treatment of tight
phimosis. Patients were divided into three groups: group A (
betamethasone scheme A), group B (
betamethasone scheme B) and group C (control group). Remission of
phimosis, with a complete exposure and without a narrowing behind the glans, was considered a complete response to treatment. The outcomes were then related to dosage scheme and patient's age. The dosage for group A was more effective than the dosage for groups B and C (control group).
Phimosis resolved in 90% (group A), 72% (group B) and 56% (group C) of cases. A successful treatment was closely related to the age of patients at the beginning of
steroid application. The results showed that treatment with topical
steroids, which in general gives good results, proved to be much more successful in patients aged between 4 and 8 years, suggesting the efficacy of an early beginning of the treatment.