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Re: Frenulum breve questions

Written by Paul B. at 08 Jul 2001 12:01:06:

As an answer to: Frenulum breve questions written by John Stuart at 07 Jul 2001 21:28:28:

> My question is WHY is the frenulum preserved during circumcision?

Why not? It's not exactly something you want to get rid of, although exactly the same can be said of
the foreskin - most men in the world are more than happy to have it in place. If you happen to be
(literally) the "odd man out" as you would seem to be, then it may be a bit of a worry.

Note that most techniques of circumcision selectively remove loose skin - if the fraenulum is at all
tight, it generally pulls itself away from the area of the circumcision - particularly when
clamps are used. It may be specifically targeted and removed as part of a "freehand" procedure.

> Are there problems associated with removing it?

It contains an artery, so may bleed freely when cut.

> Is frenuloplasty a more tricky operation than circumcision?

No, it's trivial (and that cannot be said of circumcision) apart from the artery.

> Is it more prone to complications?

No.

> Does a frenulopasty heal as successfully as a routine circumcision.

"Routine"? Are you referring to a "cosmetic" (fetish) procedure? Or a ritual (infant) circumcision?
Whichever way, you are cutting less, so it is more likely to heal well.

> Are there important blood vessels or nerves in the frenulum.

There is an artery, but it's not exactly important as long is it's not left to bleed. Since it's in
the midline, there are no nerves of importance.

Some who find any alteration abhorrent (and I'm in that category at least as regards circumcision)
argue that the fraenulum is very important to sensation because it is particularly sensitive. I'm not
sure that is true as such, and suspect it functions akin to the labial folds in women - sensitive in
themselves, but not particularly so and more important in transmitting the sense of movement to the
attachment on the glans. If then you cut it off (or tear it off), you won't feel as much on the glans as
before.

But of course, if you happened not to be enjoying its contribution, you will feel the need to either
stretch (slow) or remove it. Your particular description does not fit with a simple tear, which heals
and then causes no further hindrance - just like a girl's hymen - but rather suggests some semi-chronic
infection has occurred. It's be a bit unfortunate to have herpes activated by the trauma, but that
would fit your description particularly well. That would need specific swabbing by the doctor to identify
(and can be treated too!).


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