Circumcision is a practice that removes the foreskin, or hood of skin around the head (or glans), of an individual. It may be done for religious or cultural beliefs as well.
Before deciding to circumcise your son, consult with your doctor about the advantages and potential drawbacks. Furthermore, take into account both your baby’s health as well as any religious, cultural or personal preferences you may have for him.
What Happens During the Procedure?
Circumcision Melbourne is a medical procedure that removes the foreskin of a boy’s penis. It may be done to prevent certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or treat phimosis, when the foreskin is too tight and won’t pull back easily.
Your healthcare provider will numb the area with local anesthetic cream or injection, making the procedure more comfortable for your child.
Once numbing is complete, your healthcare provider will clamp or place a plastic ring over your foreskin to stop bleeding.
Your child’s doctor may give them acetaminophen or another pain-relieving medicine to reduce the discomfort during the procedure. They could also receive a pacifier or be swaddled before beginning surgery.
Why Is It Needed?
Circumcision of a baby is a medical procedure that may be done for many reasons. Some are medical and health related, while others may be cultural or religious obligations.
Circumcision is primarily performed to ensure a newborn’s health. By taking out their foreskin, they reduce the likelihood of contracting urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other difficult-to-treat infections.
Circumcising children at birth may reduce the risk of HIV infection in children. A recent study revealed that boys who receive circumcise at birth have a lower likelihood of contracting HIV than their uncircumcised peers.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that male circumcision can help decrease the likelihood of a boy developing a urinary tract infection during his first year. Though UTIs are extremely rare, they can cause serious kidney damage if left untreated.
How Is It Done?
Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the skin covering your baby boy’s penis, usually performed within one or two days after delivery at the hospital.
The procedure can help to prevent issues with the foreskin, such as phimosis and paraphimosis. Phimosis occurs when the foreskin fails to separate properly from the head of the penis, leading to discomfort or bending during erection.
Your doctor may first try other, less invasive treatments before suggesting circumcision. They could use topical steroids or apply gel directly onto the foreskin in order to reduce swelling and pain.
Newborns often experience considerable discomfort during a circumcision, but we can provide them with local anesthetic or give them a pacifier dipped in sugar water or swaddled to help them relax. Furthermore, you may give them acetaminophen which helps reduce any post-procedure discomfort they may feel.
What Are the Complications?
This procedure is a safe, effective way to reduce the risk of HIV and HPV infections in children. Additionally, it decreases their likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection during childhood.
However, complications can still occur in some cases. While some are preventable and others require specialist referral, others are more complex to address.
Bleeding and wound infections are two of the most common complications after circumcision. If you notice more bleeding than usual, contact your doctor right away for assistance.
Other complications of circumcision may include skin bridges and inclusion cysts at the cut edge. These areas extend from the circumcision edge back onto the glans, making it difficult to clean and may lead to an infection.
The risk of these complications varies based on the type of groin fat pad and patient weight. Boys who are particularly large or obese have an increased likelihood of developing complications, including penile adhesions or a buried penis (Figure 1). It’s essential for parents to discuss these risks with their child’s physician so they can make an informed decision regarding whether circumcision is right for their child.
