Does your little boy's penis look like it's twisted? Is this what you mean by (Penile Torsion)? Let's talk!

When your little boy is born, you are probably very happy as a mother and father. But at the same time, you may also feel a little scared about small things. Maybe you have noticed that your son's penis is a little bent, or turned to one side. Don't panic when you see this. This could be a condition that we call (Penile Torsion) in medical science. Let's talk about this in detail and simply today.

What is this (Penile Torsion)?

Simply put, Penile Torsion is when your baby's penis, especially in boys, is twisted to one side. This is a congenital condition . This means that while the baby is still in the womb, the skin and surrounding tissues sometimes do not form properly as the penis develops. Most often, this rotation is to the left (counterclockwise). This is not as serious as you might think, and it is a common condition.

How do you recognize this?

Most of the time, parents notice this condition (Penile Torsion) when their baby is circumcised, or when a doctor examines the baby. If you also see this twisting or twisting of your son's penis, the first thing you should do is postpone the circumcision for a while. Then, it is best to see a pediatric urologist and have your baby examined. These doctors treat problems with the urinary system and reproductive system in children.

Are there different types of penile torsion?

Yes, a condition called (Penile Torsion) can occur on its own, or it can occur together with other birth defects related to the penis. Some of these conditions are:

• Hypospadias : This is when the urethra, the tube through which urine and sperm exit the body, is not located at the tip of the penis, but in a different location.
• Congenital penile curvature (or 'chordee'): This is when the penis, especially when erect, is bent sharply to one side and lies flat on the bed.

Is this a serious situation?

Penile torsion can range from mild to severe . If your child has severe penile torsion, the penis may be twisted more than 90 degrees. However, most of the time, this is only mild.

How common is Penile Torsion?

According to doctors and researchers, this condition (penile torsion) can affect between 1.5% and 27% of boys. However, severe cases, where the penis is rotated more than 90 degrees, are very rare – that is, less than 1% of boys.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of penile torsion is that the penis appears to be twisted and bent to one side. Other than that, there are usually no other symptoms, especially if the penis is rotated less than 90 degrees.

Does this hurt?

Most of the time, penile torsion does not cause any pain. Therefore, the baby may not feel any discomfort from it.

Can Penile Torsion Cause Reproductive Problems?

This is a question that many parents have. No, there is no evidence yet that penile torsion affects the ability to have a child (fertility). So don't worry unnecessarily about it.

What are the causes of penile torsion?

In fact, doctors and researchers have not yet been able to find a definitive cause for penile torsion. However, it is thought that the condition may be related to excessive exposure to female hormones such as estrogen during the baby's development in the womb. It is also suspected that insufficient skin on the penis and abnormal attachment of connective tissue between the penis, foreskin, and scrotum may also be a cause.

What complications can this cause?

More than half of people with penile torsion experience urinary stream abnormalities . This can cause:

• Changes in pressure when urinating.
• Urine stream directed upwards, downwards, or to the sides.
• The urine stream splits into two and flows in different directions.

Some adults may be dissatisfied with the appearance of their penis due to untreated penile torsion. It can have a psychological impact.

How is Penile Torsion diagnosed?

This is very simple. A doctor can usually tell for sure whether you have penile torsion or not after performing a physical examination .

How is Penile Torsion treated?

In most cases, penile torsion does not require any specific treatment, especially if the rotation of the penis is less than 90 degrees. However, many parents may want to consider treatment for cosmetic reasons. Penile torsion is treated with surgery under general anesthesia. If your child has other conditions, such as hypospadias or congenital penile curvature, that also need to be treated, the surgeon may use different surgical techniques. Your doctor will advise you on the best treatment option for your child. The most common surgical procedure is called degloving. This is a type of plastic surgery. In this, the surgeon removes a portion of the skin from the child's penis and reattaches the skin in a way that makes the penile torsion less visible.

Is (Penile Torsion) surgery safe?

There are risks with any surgery. However, in general, penile torsion surgery is safe. Doctors usually recommend this surgery for your child between 6 and 18 months of age. There are slightly higher risks when it comes to anesthesia for babies under 6 months of age. For example:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Problems with learning, memory, or behavior (these can happen very rarely)

However, penile torsion surgery can be performed at any age. Some people decide to have this surgery later in life for personal reasons.

(Penile Torsion) Will it heal on its own??

No, the condition (Penile Torsion) does not heal on its own, nor does it get better with age. It is just the way it is.

How quickly will I recover after treatment?

It usually takes at least 10 days for the penis to fully heal after surgery.

What kind of future can someone with Penile Torsion expect?

There is hope for those with penile torsion. Mild cases of penile torsion do not cause any long-term health, sexual, or reproductive problems. Even in severe cases that require surgery, the results are usually very good. So there is nothing to worry about.

How to take care of the baby after surgery?

(Penile Torsion) The doctor will explain to you in detail how to care for the baby after the surgery. You should follow those instructions exactly. He will usually tell you to do things like this:

• Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly (`Vaseline®`) or a skin barrier cream (`Aquaphor®`) to the surgical site each time you change a diaper. This will help prevent bacteria from entering.
• Give the baby a pain reliever that the doctor recommends, such as acetaminophen suspension (Tylenol Infants'®).
• Wash the wound frequently with soap and clean, warm water until it heals.

When should I see a doctor?

If your child's urine flow is abnormal and you think it may affect their quality of life in the future, be sure to see a doctor for advice.

When do you need to go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) ?

If your child has had surgery to correct a condition called penile torsion, you should take them to the hospital's emergency department immediately if they show signs of infection . These signs include:

• Frequent bleeding .
• Inability to stop bleeding.
• Like a bad smell.A pus- like fluid is flowing.
• Not urinating for 12 hours after surgery.
• If you have a fever .
• If you are cold and shivering .
• If there is pus around the surgical site.
• If the skin color changes (red, purple, or darker than normal skin color ) and looks like a rash .

What are the important questions to ask the doctor?

When you go to see the doctor, ask all the questions you have. It's important to ask questions like these:

• How serious is my child's condition (Penile Torsion)?
• Does my child need surgery to correct penile torsion?
• What are the overall risks of penile torsion surgery?
• If my son has penile torsion, should he be circumcised?

The most important thing is to discuss and resolve any doubts and fears you have with the doctor.

What we need to remember from what we've talked about

Okay, so we've talked a lot about penile torsion today. Here are the main things you need to remember:

• Penile torsion is a common congenital condition.
• Most of the time, this is not serious and there is no pain.
• Minor conditions do not require special treatment.
• If necessary, this can be corrected with surgery, which is also generally safe.
• This condition does not affect fertility.
• If you have any doubts, see a pediatric urologist .

So, if you see something like this in your son, don't panic, get medical advice and act accordingly. Everything will be fine!