Balanitis Treatment in Chittagong

Diagnosis For Balanitis

Before your balanitis treatment, your urologist will likely perform a series of simple diagnostic tests to assess the severity of your condition and understand your overall health. In most cases, a simple visual inspection is enough to diagnose balanitis. During the test, the urologist will simply examine the penis visually and ask you some questions regarding the symptoms you have been facing. He or she may also ask you about your dietary habits, hygiene habits, and if you suffer from any preexisting conditions such as diabetes. Once your urologist has determined the exact cause of your condition, they can move on to treatment. However, to better understand your condition, they may perform such additional tests as well. These typically include:

• Urethral Discharge Swab: Sometimes referred to as urethral discharge culture, this diagnostic test will allow your urologist to identify germs in the urethra. In this test, the urologist rubs a small cotton swab into the urethra to get a good sample of its secretions. The cotton swab is then analyzed further in a laboratory.
• Urinalysis: Commonly known as urine test, urinalysis is a diagnostic test that involves the visual and chemical examination of your urine. In this test, the urologist asks you to urinate into a small cup provided by them. They then analyze this urine sample in a laboratory to check for kidney disease, UTI, or STIs.
• Routine Blood Tests: To assess and evaluate your overall health and uncover any underlying medical conditions you may have, your urologist may perform a blood test. In this test, the urologist draws a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm and sends it to a laboratory for further analysis.

How To Prepare for Balanitis Treatment?

To ensure a hassle-free procedure and minimize the risk of any complications either during or after your balanitis treatment, your urologist will likely ask you to make some preparations before arriving at the hospital. These usually include:

• Avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 6 hours prior to your balanitis treatment.
• Take a shower before arriving at the hospital for your balanitis treatment. It is also advisable to trim down any pubic hair you may have. Pubic hair could interfere with the dressing and cause you additional discomfort after the procedure. However, avoid shaving off any hair around the penis.
• Leave any jewelry or ornaments you may wear at home. You do not need them in a hospital, and they may even interfere with the procedure.
• Wear loose, comfortable clothes. It is also imperative that you bring an extra pair of snug, comfortable briefs. You will need to wear these briefs after the surgery and continue to wear them until some of the soreness and swelling have eased.
• Refrain from smoking or drinking alcohol for at least 48 hours prior to surgery. Smoking and alcohol could leave you dehydrated, slow down your recovery, and also reduce the effectiveness of the anesthetic.
• Make sure to take a few days off from work. While most patients can return to their daily lives in just 2-3 days after balanitis cure, each patient has different healing capabilities, and depending on several factors, recovery time after your balanitis cure may vary.
• Avoid driving home after your balanitis treatment. Due to anesthetic after-effects, you may feel disoriented, nauseous, and blurred vision. It is advisable to plan ahead and have someone drive you home or at least accompany you in a cab.

Surgical Options for Balanitis

As previously mentioned, most cases of balanitis can be treated with non-surgical alternatives such as antibiotics, topical creams, and slight changes in lifestyle. However, if your condition is severe or recurrent, your doctor may advise undergoing a foreskin removal surgery for effective balanitis cure.

There are primarily 3 methods of performing a foreskin removal surgery to treat balanitis. And while all 3 methods are considered safe and effective, they vary in their overall procedure and equipment.

• Laser Circumcision: Sometimes referred to as laser-assisted foreskin removal surgery, laser circumcision is an advanced and minimally invasive urological procedure. Laser circumcision is one of the most commonly recommended procedures to treat various foreskin-related conditions and utilizes a medical-grade laser to cut and remove the foreskin. During a laser circumcision procedure, the surgeon makes precise incisions around the foreskin using a high-intensity laser beam. The entire procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and does not take more than 10 to 15 minutes to complete. It is also an outpatient surgery. This means that once the procedure is complete and there are no immediate complications, you will be able to go home on the same day of the procedure.
• Stapler Circumcision: Stapler circumcision is another commonly performed urological procedure that your urologist may recommend as an effective balanitis cure. In a stapler circumcision procedure, the surgeon utilizes a stapler device to cut and remove the foreskin. A stapler device is an advanced and disposable surgical tool that is specially designed to remove the foreskin and close the incision wound. This device is placed over the head of the penis itself and, if placed correctly, should fit snugly around it. Once the device is in place, it is fired by the surgeon, and the foreskin is removed in one quick motion. Alongside, the incision wound is almost immediately closed off with a silicone ring. This silicone ring is designed to minimize bleeding and promote healing. Once your recovery is complete and the incision wound has healed completely, this silicone ring will fall off on its own. Similar to laser circumcision, a stapler procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia. It does not take more than 15-20 minutes to compete as well, and you will likely be able to go home on the same day of the surgery. The recovery period usually ranges between 7 to 14 days.
• Open Circumcision: Open circumcision is a more conventional form of foreskin removal surgery. In an open surgery, the surgeon utilizes surgical scissors and a scalpel to cut and remove the foreskin by making incisions along the foreskin. To begin, the surgeon makes an incision on the outer edge of the foreskin to slowly and gently separate it from the underlying tissue. Once the foreskin has been removed, the skin will be cauterized or stitched back to the shaft using dissolvable sutures. The penis will then be wrapped in a protective dressing, and you will be moved to a recovery room. Due to its more invasive nature, recovery after open circumcision usually takes longer and carries a slightly increased risk of complications. However, actual cases of any postoperative complications are rare. Open foreskin removal surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia. But, depending on your overall health, your urologist may prefer the use of general anesthesia.