Circumcision - Information for parents and patients
The ProcedureThis operation is the surgical removal of the foreskin of male children. The plastibell technique is designed for boys up to age 12 years. Using Emla (local anaesthetic cream) and local injection if needed we can do this as a pain free procedure. Slit in the top of the foreskin is made and a "plastibell" is secured in place on the end of the penis using a ligature (tie ) around the whole foreskin. The excess foreskin is then removed.
Pain ControlLocal anaesthetic cream applied 2 hours before the procedure and held in contact with the skin using plastic wrap. This can be done at the doctor’s rooms or applied by parents ahead of time. If, for some reason this method doesn’t give good numbness then the doctor may "top up" the anaesthetic using the method below. The needle is not likely to be felt due to the numbing effect of the cream. Local anaesthetic injection with a very fine needle just under the skin at the base of the penis. This can be done at the time of the operation. It can cause bruising. This does minimize pain after the procedure as well.
Post OpThe plastibell, ligature and remnant of foreskin should all come off by itself in 3 to 6 days.
Possible ComplicationsWith the plastibell method of circumcision, we see very few problems but we can't totally eliminate the very rare risk of serious bleeding or infection. Should a baby boy develop infection, and then he is likely to need injections to treat this, as antibiotics by mouth in the very young are not well absorbed. Infections in older boys can usually be cured with oral antibiotics. Rarely, I have removed the plastibell early to reduce inflammation.
Instructions to ParentsYou will need to be interviewed by myself before hand. It is preferable to meet face-to-face well before the procedure but due to distance, we can do the interview by phone and just prior to the operation. Babies should be fed (but not overfed] ahead of time. (They tend to cry otherwise.) Some parent’s stay in for the operation but it depends what you are comfortable with. After the procedure you should check for bleeding every hour for the next 2 hours. There should be no bleeding what so ever. Please stay in the vicinity of the surgery for the two hours so that it is easier to return should there be any concerns. I usually remember to give patients my mobile number at the time of the op. Babies should be bathed normally once per day. There is an increased risk of infection with bathing more often. Once the plastibell comes off the penis should look like the usual circumcised penis. Please report any increasing swelling or redness but as with any operation, you can expect some ongoing swelling and inflammation until the plastibell comes off.
The DebateThe debate about circumcision will go on forever. I don’t intend to be exhaustive here as there are plenty of emotionally stirring websites for and against circumcision but I would simply like to add my own perspective. "If you were born with it, then it belongs." But you didn’t keep your umbilical cord. It seems that the foreskin is necessary for development before birth but is more of a nuisance than help later. Infections including urinary tract infections, HIV and various sexually transmitted diseases in general are more commonly acquired and transmitted by uncircumcised men. The need for late circumcision due to Phimosis (scarring of the foreskin after infection) is obviously eliminated by circumcision in childhood. Which boy will need circumcision later? We can’t tell. The high majority of boys having circumcision do very well and therefore, I believe there should be less hype and guilt associated with it and it is simply the parent’s choice. Just another decision we make with our children’s best interest at heart.
Contact us to make an appointment
Suggested Web Sites...
|
