Why is my 3-years-old nephew’s penile opening getting closed?

Q: My nephew is 3 years old and the hole of his penis is closing. Why is this happening? Is surgery the only option?

A:The condition that you seem to describe is called Phimosis in which the opening of the foreskin is tight, so that the foreskin does not retract. This is physiological till 3-5 years of age, when it opens up on its own. If it doesn't, or if there is local infection, then he will need a small operation called circumcision, which is a one-time procedure.