Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of thepenis.
The foreskin is the layer of skin that covers the glans (head of the penis).
This procedure can be performed in newborns, older children, or adults.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
Circumcision is one of the most common surgeries among males.
Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell
Why Are Circumcisions Performed?
The purpose of circumcision is to surgically remove the foreskin of the penis.
Blueshot / Getty Images
The foreskin is the layer of skin that covers the head of the penis.
Generally, circumcisions are performed during the newborn period.
But they can also be performed at any time during a person’s life.
Circumcisions may be performed for religious, cultural, or medical reasons.
Jewish circumcisions are performed during a ceremony called a brit milah or bris.
In addition, some people are not good candidates for circumcision.
However, they do not recommend routine circumcision because scientific evidence for routinely performing this surgery is not sufficient.
Contraindications
Contraindications for a circumcision procedure can be grouped into four areas.
Serious but rare complications include excessive bleeding and possible amputation of the glans.
How to Prepare
Preparing for surgery can be a scary and uncertain time.
They will go over your scheduled arrival time and any other instructions.
These instructions will include what medications your should take or pause before the procedure.
They will also tell you what time to stop consuming food and liquids.
Adult circumcisions are performed in a hospital as anoutpatientprocedure.
They may also be done at a same-day surgery center.
What to Wear
Newborns wear a hospital gown and diaper before the procedure.
These will be removed once the patient is placed on the surgical table.
Adult circumcision patients should dress in loose-fitting clothing.
You will change into a hospital gown when you arrive.
Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about when to stop eating and drinking at a pre-operative appointment.
They may also call to remind you the day before the procedure.
Medications
Your surgeon will discuss all medications with you before the surgery.
Be sure to bring a list of your medications to pre-operative appointments.
You should know:
Don’t forget to include all vitamins and supplements in your list of medications.
These may have side effects when combined with anesthesia and the medications used during and after the procedure.
On the morning of your surgery, take only the medications your doctor tells you to take and how.
Adults who undergo the procedure will report to the outpatient surgery department.
You will be discharged several hours after the procedure.
Report to the hospital at the prescheduled arrival time.
Once there, you will change into a hospital gown.
It is helpful to have someone at the hospital for support and to drive you home.
Before the Surgery
Hospital newborn circumcision takes only a few minutes.
However, the process of getting a baby ready can take longer.
Before the procedure, your child’s physician will speak to you and obtain consent.
They will go over the risks and benefits of the surgery.
They will go over the procedure with you and ask you to sign consent forms.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
The surgical technique varies depending on the healthcare provider.
A urologist performs them.
This will prevent the diaper from sticking to the healing area.
After a Plastibell circumcision, the plastic rim is left on the penis as it heals.
The Plastibell will fall off by itself in seven to 14 days.
Immediately after an adult circumcision, your doctor will clean the area with sterile water.
They will then wrap it with petroleum jelly and sterile gauze.
you could remove the initial dressing per your doctor’s instruction.
Wear loose-fitting briefs and gently wash the surgical area daily with non-perfumed soap.
Recovery
Recovery after circumcision is relatively easy.
Most patients suffer minor, if any, complications.
Your doctor may adviseTylenol(acetaminophen) or ibuprofen for pain relief.
In addition, you should take it easy for several days following the procedure.
Healing
It’s important to be able to identify complications from the procedure.
Possible Future Surgeries
The need for future surgeries is rare.
If there is an additional need, it is often cosmetic.
Urologists usually perform circumcision revisions.
The surgery is a common newborn procedure in the U.S., but adults can undergo the procedure, too.
Circumcision is an outpatient procedure.
Your doctor will send you or your child home on the same day.
The procedure is very quick, often lasting only a few minutes.
Afterward, you should apply petroleum jelly to the wound as it heals and watch for signs of infection.
A Word From Verywell
Circumcisions are often performed for religious or cultural reasons.
But they may also be performed for medical reasons.
Boston Children’s Hospital.Circumcision.
2016;14:4. doi:10.1186/s12963-016-0073-5
Kacker S, Tobian AAR.Male circumcision: integrating tradition and medical evidence.Isr Med Assoc J.
2013;15(1):37-38.
Hartley A, Ramanathan C, Siddiqui H.The surgical treatment of balanitis xerotica obliterans.Indian J Plast Surg.
2010;10(1):2. doi:10.1186/1471-2490-10-2
American Pregnancy Association.Baby circumcision.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Circumcision.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Newborn male circumcision.
Holman JR, Stuessi KA.Adult circumcision.AFP.
1999;59(6):1514-1518.
Seattle Childrens Hospital.Circumcision problems.
University of Utah.Circumcision and frenuloplasty.
