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Frenuloplasty

If you are having difficulty retracting your foreskin or have experienced a snapped frenulum, you may need to consider a frenuloplasty to lengthen your penile frenulum.

This surgical treatment corrects a short penile frenulum with a minor surgical procedure that can be completed in as little as half an hour.

Who needs a frenuloplasty?

The frenulum is a small fold of skin tissue that is found on the underside of the penis, that connects the foreskin to the shaft. It is shaped like a small V and can be found just below the head of the penis.

Although it can still be present in circumcised men, in uncircumcised men the frenulum plays a more important role – it should be supple enough to allow for manual retraction over the glans, to help retract the foreskin when erect, or to narrow the foreskin opening when flaccid.

In some men, the frenulum can tear or the covering of skin that attaches the penis head to the penis becomes very tight, so the foreskin may not be to retract over the head of the penis.

Such complications can result in the following problems, which can be solved with frenuloplasty surgery:

Fixing a short penile frenulum
Pain when trying to retract the foreskin
Difficulty in cleaning the head of the penis
Hygiene issues because of the inability to keep properly clean
Painful or impossible sexual intercourse
Bleeding

What does a Frenuloplasty procedure involve?

Frenuloplasty surgery involves releasing the tight layer of skin and dividing the frenulum horizontally just under the head of the penis and re-stitching it vertically to allow the frenulum to lengthen.

The procedure is always performed under local anaesthetic to properly numb the area, but patients can request a general anaesthetic if they prefer. Once you are suitably anaesthetised, the Frenuloplasty takes around half an hour and, in some cases, less than that.

It will be completed in a sterile setting, such as an operating theatre, by our GMC-registered urologist specialists who have performed many successful procedures across their careers.

While this procedure can be performed on its own, we can complete frenuloplasty in conjunction with other procedures, for example, we often carry out many penis enlargement surgeries and also correct a tight frenulum at the same time.

This is preferred by some patients as it reduces the number of surgeries patients have to undergo, as well as minimising necessary healing time and anaesthetic use.

What's the next step?

Give us a call or send us an email and we will arrange a consultation for you with pleasure to discuss things further. We can give you an indication to the likely costs and discuss the various payment options that we have, including interest free finance.

Are there any complications with a frenuloplasty?

As frenuloplasty is a minor surgical procedure, most patients experience no complications and heal well – especially if you carefully follow all aftercare instructions and look after yourself.

While the chance of complications can be mitigated if you choose an experienced urology surgeon and a reputable hospital, all procedures carry risks that you should be fully informed about as part of your consultation with your chosen GMC-registered surgeon.

This allows you to make an informed decision about your care and consider which surgery is best for your needs. Not informing you of the possibility of complications removes your ability to grant informed consent – which is illegal.

Working from top to bottom, the most common complications of frenuloplasty surgery include:

Swelling which could last for a few days
Slightly reduced sensation in the head of your penis
Bleeding from the incision that requires extra care
A failure for the frenulum to release, resulting in the need for a full circumcision
Infection at the surgery site

It is important to note that the most serious complications are classed as rare and can occur even if surgery goes perfectly with no concerns.

Frenuloplasty FAQs

How long does a frenuloplasty take?

The procedure takes one hour for our urological surgeons to perform in the operating theatre.

What kind of anaesthetic will I need for a frenuloplasty?

A frenuloplasty can be performed under a local or general anaesthetic. It can also be performed under sedation. You should discuss your preference with the Urologist at your consultation.

How soon can I have sex after frenuloplasty?

It could take up to six weeks before you can resume sexual activity, depending on how quickly everything heals after the surgery.

Is it possible to have a circumcision at the same time as a frenuloplasty?

Yes, this is possible. Some men choose this option if they just prefer the penis without foreskin. If you have problems with a tight foreskin this could be a good time to resolve this problem along with the issues you have with your frenulum.

Who performs a frenuloplasty?

At Moorgate Andrology, frenuloplasty surgeries to fix a short penile frenulum are a commonly practiced operation performed by GMC Specialist registered Urologist.

Is a frenuloplasty painful?

The foreskin releasing procedure should not be painful at all. You should expect some discomfort after the surgery during the first week. You will be provided with post operative pain relief medication upon discharge from the hospital and a course of antibiotic to help prevent infection.

Can I go home alone after the frenuloplasty?

This will depend on the anaesthetic you have had. If you have opted for general anaesthesia or sedation, then someone will need to come to the hospital to collect you. If you have had a local anaesthetic, then you should be okay to go home alone after the procedure.

How long will I be at the hospital for a frenuloplasty?

Normally you are admitted to the hospital one to two hours before the procedure. The procedure will take about one hour and then you will have a recovery period of around two to three hours if you have had a sedation.

Should I take some time off work after a frenuloplasty?

It would be sensible to take a few days off work after the procedure to aid the healing process. If you have a sedentary job, then a few days is usually fine. If you have a more physical job, then you may need around one week off work.

When can I play sport after a frenuloplasty?

Similarly to sexual activity, would be best to allow six weeks after your surgical treatment before playing contact sport to ensure everything has healed successfully.