Phimosis in children: should I prescribe corticosteroids as treatment? summary and commentary on a systematic review of the Cochrane Collaboration

Abstract

This special article aims to summarize and discuss the systematic review conducted on the use of topical corticosteroids for the treatment of phimosis in children. The review assessed the effects of topical corticosteroids applied to the stenotic part of the prepuce for the treatment of phimosis in children compared to placebo or no treatment. The review was published on 25th January 2024 and is available on the official Cochrane Library website (cochrane.org). It consisted of a synthesis of 14 randomized clinical trials aiming to highlight the outcomes in clinical improvement of the participants, primarily based on the ability of prepuce retraction at the end of the pharmacological treatment course. This commentary is done in collaboration with Cochrane Colombia and within the framework of the Cochrane Corners strategy.