Service
Phimosis and circumcision
Phimosis is a narrowing of the opening of the foreskin that makes it difficult or impossible to pull it back over the head of the penis (glans). Circumcision is a procedure in which the foreskin is removed completely or partly. Circumcision is also done at personal request, without a medical reason.
What concerns does it address?
When is surgery done?
Surgery is considered when the narrowing of the foreskin interferes with everyday life — when it makes hygiene difficult or causes repeated inflammation, pain or tearing of the foreskin.
Paraphimosis — a foreskin that gets stuck behind the head of the penis and cannot be pulled back — is not a condition to book an appointment for: get in touch immediately.
How is it done?
The procedure is done under local or general anaesthesia. The price list includes both options and they differ in price.
When is the procedure not suitable?
The procedure is not done during inflammation of the glans or foreskin — that is treated first. In diabetes, which is a common cause of thickening and tearing of the foreskin in adults, blood sugar is brought under control first. The procedure is done in adults.
General reasons for postponing a procedure (inflammation, a clotting disorder, smoking): When is a procedure postponed?
Anaesthesia
Before a procedure under general or regional anaesthesia, you are seen by the anaesthetist, who works full time at the clinic; the same doctor is also present during the procedure. The anaesthetic assessment and the anaesthesia for larger operations are included in the price of the procedure. What happens before, during and after anaesthesia is described on the Anaesthesia page.
Risks
Expected, and rare but serious → Risks and complications: what is the course of healing, and what is a complication?
Price
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Phimosis surgery (circumcision) — local anaesthesia | €700 |
| Phimosis surgery (circumcision) — general anaesthesia | €1,000 |
| Circumcision and frenuloplasty together | €900–1,000 |
Specialist and team
Specialty: urology — examinations, diagnostics and procedures.
When the procedure is done under sedation or general anaesthesia, the anaesthesia is led by a specialist in anaesthesiology, resuscitation and intensive care who works full time at the clinic.
In the operating theatre, the surgeon is assisted by head nurse Martina Šereg, with the help of nurses Kristina Jurešić and Mateja Tomorad, and in recovery the care assistant Mirjana Kovačić is with you. Martina also looks after preparation, scheduling and contact after the procedure.
Who will operate is decided at the examination, based on the findings and the type of procedure. You know the name of the surgeon before the procedure and meet them at the examination.
What happens at the examination?
A urological examination has two parts: a conversation about your symptoms, past illnesses and medicines, and a clinical examination. Depending on the findings, an ultrasound is done straight away, in the same visit, if needed. You receive the findings at the examination.
What if the result is not as agreed?
The result of a procedure is assessed at a follow-up visit, once the swelling has gone down and the scar has matured, not in the first weeks. If it differs from what was agreed at the examination, the same surgeon carries out the correction.
→ Poliklinika Barbel's correction policy
In the same visit
- Short frenulum (frenuloplasty) — frenuloplasty is done in the same procedure as circumcision, with a combined price in the price list.
Frequently asked questions
Does phimosis have to be operated on? Not always. In adults, mild phimosis without symptoms can be monitored or treated with a corticosteroid cream. Surgery is done when the foreskin tears, when inflammation recurs, when it interferes with urination or intercourse, and always for paraphimosis.
Why are the stitches not removed? The stitches are absorbable and dissolve on their own over a few weeks. If one stays longer, it is gently removed at the follow-up visit.
Can I urinate after the procedure? Yes — the dressing is applied so that urination is possible immediately.
What about night-time erections? They stretch the fresh wound and in younger men are the most common reason for a stitch to break. For the first few days, as agreed with the doctor, you take a medicine that reduces them; if a stitch breaks anyway, get in touch in the morning — it is easily dealt with.
What is expected after the procedure and what is not? Swelling that goes down over a few days and only then shows the final shape — expected. Minor bleeding that stops with a few minutes of pressure — expected. Bleeding that does not stop, severe pain or pus — get in touch immediately.
Does sensation in the glans change? A glans that has always been covered is more sensitive to touch and clothing in the first weeks; the sensitivity decreases over time and settles. In most men there is no permanent change in sexual sensation.
How much does the result depend on care after the procedure? The larger the procedure, the more it depends on it, but it always does. Healing takes weeks and months and happens almost entirely at home, so the instructions you receive when you go home, about the wound, physical activity and the scar, are part of the procedure, not a recommendation.
Medical review: doctors of Poliklinika Barbel · October 2026.