Does your little boy's penis look like it's twisted? Let's talk about penile torsion.

Have you ever noticed that your little boy's penis is a little bent or twisted to one side while changing his diaper or bathing him? You may have thought that this was normal and that he would grow out of it. Many parents have had this experience. In medicine, a boy's penis is born slightly twisted and twisted, which is called `Penile Torsion`. Don't be afraid to hear this name. Today, we will talk about it in a very simple way that you can understand.

What exactly is Penile Torsion?

Simply put, `Penile Torsion` is a condition in which a boy's penis is slightly twisted. It looks like a bottle cap. This is a congenital condition . This means that when the baby is growing inside the mother's womb, the skin and surrounding tissues of the penis do not form properly.

Most of the time, this rotation is to the left. That is, counterclockwise. This is not as serious as you might think, and it is also more common than you might think.

Many parents see this when their baby is going to be circumcised, or when a doctor examines the baby.

Could other problems come with this situation?

Yes, sometimes Penile Torsion does not occur alone, but can occur together with other birth defects. Two main such conditions are:

• Hypospadias: This is when the urethra, the tube through which urine and sperm pass, opens somewhere on the underside of the penis instead of at the tip.
• Chordee: This is a condition where the penis, when aroused, is not erect but rather bent sharply downwards or to the side.

Your doctor will also check for these conditions.

Is this serious? How common is it?

Penile torsion can range from mild to severe. If the penis is twisted more than 90 degrees, that is, more than a right angle, it is considered a bit more serious.

This is so common that some studies suggest that it may affect anywhere from 1.5% to 27% of male babies. But as I mentioned earlier, it is very rare, less than 1%, to have a curve that is more than 90 degrees.

What are the symptoms and problems?

The main symptom is that the penis appears to be turned to one side. Other than that, there are usually no other symptoms. Especially if the rotation is less than 90 degrees, the baby will not feel any pain or discomfort. So there is nothing to worry about.

However, this can cause some practical problems.

What is the reason for this?

Doctors have not yet found a specific reason for this. But there are some theories. One is that it is thought that excessive exposure to female hormones, especially estrogen, while the fetus is growing in the womb may be affected. It may also be due to certain abnormalities in the development of the skin and tissues of the penis.

How does a doctor treat this?

First, a doctor will examine the baby carefully. This condition can be diagnosed with a simple physical exam.

Now let's look at treatment. In most cases, especially if the twist is less than 90 degrees, no treatment is needed. It does not harm the baby in any way.

However, some parents are concerned about the appearance of the penis and want to treat it. Also, if the urine stream is going in a very sideways direction, that too needs to be fixed. The only treatment for this is a minor surgery.

This surgery is performed under general anesthesia. During the surgery, the doctor releases some of the skin on the penis, straightens it out, and sews the skin back together. This is called degloving. It's like carefully peeling the skin off a banana and then reattaching it.

Is the surgery safe?

Yes, in general, this is a very safe surgery. Like all surgeries, there are some risks, but this one is very low. Doctors usually recommend performing this surgery when the baby is between 6 and 18 months old. This is because there are slightly higher risks when giving anesthesia to babies under 6 months old.

But this surgery can be done at any age. Some people even get it done at a young age, of their own free will.

How to take care of the baby after surgery?

It usually takes about 10 days for the wound to heal after surgery. Your doctor will explain in detail how to care for your baby during this time. The following instructions are usually given:

• Keeping it clean: Every time you change your baby's diaper, apply a little petroleum jelly (`Vaseline®`) or another ointment recommended by your doctor around the surgical site. This will help prevent germs from entering.
• For pain: If the baby is in pain, give a painkiller like Paracetamol in the prescribed dosage as recommended by the doctor.
• How to wash: As the wound heals, wash the area very thoroughly and slowly with soap and clean, lukewarm water.

Anytime you want to see a doctor

If your baby's urine stream is unusually side-tracked, it's a good idea to talk to a doctor, as this could be uncomfortable for him as he gets older.

When to go to the ETU after surgery

If you develop any signs of infection after surgery, you should go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. These signs include:

• If you are bleeding frequently or if you cannot stop the bleeding.
• If a foul-smelling fluid is oozing from the wound.
• If the baby has not urinated for 12 hours after the surgery.
• If the baby has a fever, chills, and shivering.
• If pus has collected around the stitches.
• If the skin is red, purple, or darker than usual.

If you see anything like this, don't waste time and take the baby to a hospital.