Zipped Penis

An area of skin, often of the penis or neck, becomes painfully trapped in a zipper mechanism. Unzipping the zipper will lacerate the skin and cause further damage.

This condition is relatively rarely seen, but is the commonest cause of prepuce injuries in children. In one study, only 6 boys were seen over a period of 3 years.¹ In another, there was only one case of zip entrapment in 4068 new patient attendances.²

Various options can be tried, some more invasive than others:

• It may be possible to dismantle the zip. If the median bar at the front of the moveable zip head is cut in half, the zipper falls apart freeing the skin relatively painlessly. Use bone cutter or wire clippers for this. Considerable force may be needed.
  
  
• Lateral compression of the zip using pliers sometimes frees the prepuce.³
• Cutting the teeth of the closed zipper is sometimes effective.⁴
• The thin blade of a small screwdriver can be inserted between the outer and inner faceplates of the zip fastener and twisting movement is made toward the median bar. This will widen the gap between faceplates and may help to disengage the prepuce.⁵
• If all else fails, the skin should be anaesthetised and the area of zipper and entrapped tissue should be excised. Mineral oil is sometimes used in these circumstances to lubricate the area and minimise trauma.⁶
• Consider plastic surgical follow up if the skin damage is significant.