An argument for circumcision. Prevention of balanitis in the adult
N. Fakjian, S. Hunter, G. W. Cole and J. Miller
Dermatology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Long Beach, Calif. 90822.
A cross-sectional study and a retrospective study were performed to
determine the frequency of balanitis in a randomly selected group of
dermatology patients. A total of 398 subjects were included in the
cross-sectional study, 213 (53.5%) of whom had been circumcised. Balanitis
was diagnosed in 2.3% of circumcised men and in 12.5% of uncircumcised men.
In patients with diabetes mellitus, balanitis occurred with a prevalence of
34.8% in the uncircumcised population, compared with 0% in the circumcised
population. Balanitis did occur with increased frequency in the diabetic
population (16%), regardless of circumcision status, compared with the
nondiabetic population (5.8%). Of 63 circumcisions performed at our
institution between 1987 and 1989, 28.6% were for the treatment of
balanitis; 44.4%, for phimosis (which was probably induced by chronic
balanitis); 19% in preparation for placement of penile prostheses; and 8%
for miscellaneous reasons. No complications of circumcision were reported.
In this group of patients, balanitis was more frequent in diabetic than in
nondiabetic uncircumcised men (50% vs 15.4%).
