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Frenulum Breve: Symptoms, Tearing and Treatment

Definition of Frenulum Breve

The frenulum is located at the ventral side of the glans and attaches the prepuce to the glans [fig. uncircumcised penis]. A Frenulum breve is too short, restricts foreskin mobility during erection, and may be teared during sexual activity.

Signs and Symptoms of Frenulum Breve

A frenulum breve leads to ventral deviation of the glans and pain during erection. Sometimes, tearing of the frenulum causes heavy bleeding. The tearing of the frenulum breve occurs mainly during the sexual activity of young men.

Diagnostic Workup

Frenulum breve is a clinical diagnosis. Important is the exclusion of a phimosis before surgical treatment.

Treatment of Frenulum Breve

Tear of the Frenulum Breve

Mild compression of the blood supply is usually sufficient to stop the bleeding after tearing of the frenulum. Further treatment depends on the glans mobility after healing. In case of heavy bleeding, hemostatic sutures (after local anesthesia) are necessary, and frenuloplasty can be done in the same setting.

Frenuloplasty

Frenuloplasty is the surgical division of a frenulum breve. Frenuloplasty is only indicated in frenulum breve without phimosis. After local anesthesia, the frenulum is completely divided in the transverse direction (frenulotomy) to allow sufficient mobility of the glans. The mucosal defect is sewn in the longitudinal direction.

Circumcision

Frenulum breve with phimosis should be treated with a circumcision.

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