In circumstances where the frenulum of the penis is too short to allow for proper retraction of the foreskin during erection (a condition known as frenulum breve), a minor operation may be performed wherein the frenulum is surgically divided - often under local anaesthetic - permitting full retraction of the foreskin.

The divided frenulum is repaired with absorbable sutures, which fall out in approximately 10 days - and the patient is usually put on a short course of analgesics to deal with the short lived discomfort.

For suitable candidates, a circumcision is thus avoided - and normal retraction of the foreskin is subsequently possible.