How much does preputial surgery for phimosis cost?

Answer 1

It depends on where you live and whether or not you have insurance to cover the costs of the surgery, anesthetic and other related fees.

Boys are born with a non-retractile foreskin, this changes gradually becoming fully retractable over a period of time and should not be forced. There is no "right" age for the foreskin to become retractable but usually happens between birth to 18 years or more. Occasionally a male reaches adulthood with a non-retractile foreskin. The current preferred treatment is topical steroid ointment accompanied by gradual stretching of the foreskin designed to slowly increase the opening to gradually allow the foreskin to be completely retracted over the glans, over the period of 4 to 12 weeks.

Betamethasone cream 0.05% (available by prescription) should be applied to the exterior and interior of the tip of the foreskin 2-3 times daily. This is completely effective in 80% to 90% of all cases within 4 weeks but can be continued for up to 3 months if necessary.

The total cost of an in-hospital, non-therapeutic neonatal circumcision in the United States has risen from $1154 in 1992 to $1869 in 1999 (easily double this figure now) when the surgery is for non-therapeutic reasons insurance generally won't cover the cost. Adult circumcision is more costly than new born when no anaesthesia is used and it can be done in the doctors office. It is more expensive on the east coast and less expensive in the mid west.