Journal of Urology (Baltimore), Volume 117, Issue 5, Page 671. May 1977.
Division of Urology and the Department of Anesthesia, 
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Journal of Urology (Baltimore), Volume 117, Issue 5, Page 671. May 1977.
Division of Urology and the Department of Anesthesia, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
A penile problem that physicians are confronted with in the emergency room is entrapment of the foreskin by a zipper fastener. A case presentation and a simple technique for its management are described.
A 3-year old boy was brought to the emergency room after his mother had accidentally trapped the penile prepuce between the fastener and the zipper while dressing him. After several painless and fruitless attempts to free the entrapped foreskin she cut the zipper from the pants (fig. 1) and brought the child to the hospital. The child was anesthetized because of extreme anxiety and poor cooperation. Separation of the zipper from the teeth was accomplished by squeezing the median bar of the zipper with a bone cutter. There was minimal trauma to the foreskin and the child was sent home the same morning.
Entrapment of the foreskin between the fastener and the teeth usually occurs when the zipper is being opened because the movement is downwards and toward the body. This factor allows for accessibility to the median bar of the zipper fastener. (fig. 1)
Management of this problem has included circumcision1 or extraction of the foreskin by manipulation.2 Problems with circumcision include pre-existing local edema, lack of psychological preparation and possible cultural taboos. Extraction by manipulation usually is prolonged, painful and often counterproductive.
We suggest the following approach. A bone cutting plier is applied to the median bar (fig.2). Squeezing this bar will permit the whole zipper to fall apart and release the trapped skin. If this maneuver is applied initially a cooperative and grateful patient is the result. However, previous attempts to extract the foreskin, especially in young children, may have caused considerable pain, and therefore, will require either local or general anesthesia.
Accepted for publication November 19, 1976.
Read at annual meeting of Northeastern Section, American Urological Association, Hot Springs, Virginia, September 19-23, 1976.
The Circumcision Information and Resource Pages are a not-for-profit educational resource and library. IntactiWiki hosts this website but is not responsible for the content of this site. CIRP makes documents available without charge, for informational purposes only. The contents of this site are not intended to replace the professional medical or legal advice of a licensed practitioner.
© CIRP.org 1996-2024 | Filetree | Please visit our sponsor and host: IntactiWiki.