Circumcision1 min read

Circumcision is an elective surgical procedure to remove penile foreskin; it is available at this facility or an alternate site.

• Medical studies indicate that circumcision is associated with a number of medical benefits, including lower rates of urinary tract infection (UTI), penile cancer, penile inflammation, penile dermatoses, and sexually transmitted infections.
• Like any medical procedure there are risks to circumcision. Risks are very limited and usually not serious. They can include, but are not limited to, bleeding, poor cosmetic outcome, infection, cysts, and adhesions. Respected advisory groups (including the Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) have concluded that the medical benefits of circumcision outweigh its risks.
• Circumcision can be performed at any age, but the risks are fewer and benefits greater when it is performed shortly after birth.
• Circumcision can be associated with pain but measures can and should be taken to reduce this pain. In our office we use penile nerve block to numb the area.
• The three major techniques for circumcision are use of the Gomco clamp, Plastibell device, or Mogen clamp. Choice of modality depends upon clinician preference. The only technique used in our office is the Gomco clamp.
• Parents should consider their own cultural, religious, and personal preferences when deciding whether to circumcise their child.