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  • Evaluation of topical corti...
    Sabino Borges, Luis; Meirelles, Maria; Bernardes, Natália; de Castro, Felipe; Helmo, Fernanda; Rocha, Laura; Antunes Teixeira, Vicente; Miranda Correa, Rosana

    African journal of paediatric surgery, 01/2019, Volume: 16, Issue: 1
    Journal Article

    Introduction: Histopathological analysis of the foreskin has become more common in the last two decades. Objectives: This study aims to analyze the morphology of the foreskin and determine the effects of topical corticosteroid therapy on this tissue. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated forty foreskin samples from children aged from 2 years to 15 years with phimosis undergoing circumcision at our institution over a 2-year period. In the foreskin samples, we analyzed the elastic fibers (Verhoeff), epidermal thickness (hematoxylin and eosin), and Annexin 1 and Langerhans cells (LCs) (immunohistochemistry).Results: In the present study, 18 (45%) patients made use of topical corticosteroids, and 22 (55%) did not, while 4 (10%) had a history of balanoposthitis as previous complication. Forty patients were divided according to the parameter analyzed: with or without previous complication and with or without previous topical corticotherapy. Annexin 1 expression was significantly higher in group with a history of complications when compared with group without complications (P = 0.024) and lower in the group of those who used corticosteroids when compared with those who did not used corticosteroids (P = 0.364). In the analysis of all samples, the density of mature LCs was significantly higher when compared with immature LCs (P < 0.0001). The density of immature LCs was significantly higher in patients without previous complications when compared with group with complications (P = 0.028). Conclusions: These findings contribute to a better understanding of the histopathological aspects of previous complications and of treatment with corticosteroids in children with phimosis.