Circumcision for phimosis--indications and results.

A follow-up study including all boys (n = 117) operated with circumcision for phimosis during 1976 was performed. Most patients were operated on an outpatient basis. Early complications like bleeding or infection were few and mild. In 13 cases there was a postoperative stricture of the urethral orifice which had to be widened. Five patients had complaints about the cosmetic result. Eight boys expressed shyness and unwillingness to undress in school gym. In no instance were there any signs of a more serious psychological disorder. The operative indications are discussed and it is concluded that worried parents of boys with phimosis can be safely advised to have their boys circumcised if the prepuce is scarred or there has been recurrent balanitis, or if the boy has reached school age and the foreskin is still unretractable.

Circumcision for phimosis: a follow-up study.

All 117 boys circumcized for phimosis during one year at the Department of Pediatric Surgery in Lund were subject to a follow-up study five years postoperatively. In 45 cases the main operative indication was recurrent balanitis, in 25 cases scarring of the prepuce and in 41 cases an expressed ballooning at voiding. Early operative complications included 7 cases of postoperative haemorrhage which in 1 case necessitated reoperation. In 1 case there was a postoperative infection. 13/117 patients developed a stricture of the urethral orifice necessitating meatotomy. The study included a questionnaire which was answered by 97/117 patients, 92 of whom expressed complete satisfaction with the operation. The complaints of the others were cosmetic in nature. There was in no instance any sign of more severe psychological disorder than a certain shyness which was expressed in 8 cases. It is concluded that circumcision for phimosis in young boys is complicated by meatal stenosis in a certain frequency (13/117) but not loaded with serious complications. There seems to be no reason to fear psychological disturbances due to circumcision.

Vegan regimen with reduced medication in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

Thirty-five patients who had suffered from bronchial asthma for an average of 12 yr, all receiving long-term medication, 20 including cortisone, were subject to therapy with vegan food for 1 yr. In almost all cases, medication was withdrawn or drastically reduced. There was a significant decrease in asthma symptoms. Twenty-four patients (69%) fulfilled the treatment. Of these, 71% reported improvement at 4 months and 92% at 1 yr. There was a significant improvement in a number of clinical variables; for example, vital capacity, forced expiratory volume at one sec and physical working capacity, as well as a significant change in various biochemical indices as haptoglobin, IgM, IgE, cholesterol, and triglycerides in blood. Selected patients, with a fear of side-effects of medication, who are interested in alternative health care, might get well and replace conventional medication with this regimen.

A vegan regimen with reduced medication in the treatment of hypertension.

Twenty-nine patients who had suffered from essential hypertension for an average of 8 years, all receiving long-term medication for hypertension, were subject to therapy with vegan food for 1 year. In almost all cases medication was withdrawn or drastically reduced. There was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. A number of reported symptoms disappeared. There was a significant improvement in a number of clinical variables as well as a significant change in various biochemical indices such as urea, haptoglobin, cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in blood. Subjectively all patients reported improvement. Selected patients, with a fear of side-effects of medication, who are interested in alternative health care might replace conventional medication with this dietary regimen.