Dr. Matthew L. Neddermeyer A frenuloplasty is a surgical procedure that involves a slight modification usually to the foreskin, lips or tongue. Frenuloplasty of the penis – the most common form – is similar to a circumcision but is less invasive and has a different aim and purposes.
Here we will look at what a frenuloplasty is, when it’s used and what you should expect if you are getting the procedure.
What Is a Frenuloplasty?
A frenuloplasty is a treatment used to alter a frenulum. A frenulum is the tissue used to restrict the motion of ‘mobile organs’ in the body. In the case of the penis, this is the tissue that connects the foreskin around the head of the penis. The frenulum of the tongue meanwhile is the tissue connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth.
In either case, it is possible for the frenulum to be too tight and to thus restrict movement and potentially cause pain. This can restrict sexual intercourse and make urination difficult when it affects the penis, and can cause problems with breastfeeding (in infants) and speech where it affects the tongue. The latter is a condition sometimes known as ‘tongue tie’ or ‘ankyloglossia’.
Other types of frenuloplasty include labial frenectomy of the lip which may be necessary when fitting dentures, gingival frenectomy which removes tissue between two teeth and frenuloplasties of the clitoris and labia minora.
The Procedure
In any case this is a relatively minor procedure, normally performed under a local anaesthetic for adults or general anaesthetic for children. Following a frenuloplasty you may experience some bleeding, swelling and discomfort and may be given absorbable stitches to keep the wound closed. You should refrain from taking baths or showers while you wait for the stitches to dissolve in order to prevent them dissolving too rapidly. Avoid anything that may cause discomfort to the affected region such as intercourse following a frenuloplasty of the penis. Normally the recovery period should last around a fortnight before you are back in action.