Topical Corticosteroids for Treating Phimosis in Boys

Juan Qiu, MD, PhD,

Dongsheng Jiang, MD,

Kristen Grine, DO,

Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, State College

American Family Physician. 2025;111(2):122-123.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

This clinical content conforms to AAFP criteria for CME.

Author disclosure: No relevant financial relationships.

1.Moreno G, Ramirez C, Corbalán J, et al. Topical corticosteroids for treating phimosis in boys. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2024(1):CD008973.
2.Morris BJ, Matthews JG, Krieger JN. Prevalence of phimosis in males of all ages: systematic review. Urology. 2020;135:124-132.
3.Herzog LW, Alvarez SR. The frequency of foreskin problems in uncircumcised children. Am J Dis Child. 1986;140(3):254-256.
4.Hotonu S, Mohamed A, Rajimwale A, et al. Save the foreskin: outcomes of preputioplasty in the treatment of childhood phimosis. Surgeon. 2020;18(3):150-153.
5.Moreno G, Corbalán J, Peñaloza B, et al. Topical corticosteroids for treating phimosis in boys. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014(9):CD008973.
6.Vorilhon P, Martin C, Pereira B, et al. Évaluation de l'efficacité des dermocorticoïdes pour le traitement du phimosis de l'enfant à travers une analyse de la littérature [Assessment of topical steroid treatment for childhood phimosis: review of the literature]. Arch Pediatr. 2011;18(4):426-431.
7.Liu J, Yang J, Chen Y, et al. Is steroids therapy effective in treating phimosis? A meta-analysis. Int Urol Nephrol. 2016;48(3):335-342.
8.European Association of Urology. Paediatric urology guidelines. Accessed March 5, 2024. https://uroweb.org/guidelines/paediatricurology/chapter/the-guideline

These are summaries of reviews from the Cochrane Library.

This series is coordinated by Corey D. Fogleman, MD, assistant medical editor.

A collection of Cochrane for Clinicians published in AFP is available at https://www.aafp.org/afp/cochrane.

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