Circumcision N3030
A circumcision is an operation to remove the foreskin, the sleeve of skin that surrounds the head of the penis. Circumcision can be carried out on men of any age, as well as on babies and young boys. At Reading Urology Partnership we will only carry out circumcisions that are needed on medical grounds, on patients aged three years or over. We can however provide referral details for patients younger than three, or for circumcisions required for cosmetic, social or religious reasons.
Why do I need a circumcision?
Your surgeon may have recommended a circumcision for a number of reasons including:
- The foreskin may be naturally tight and it cannot be pulled back over the head of the penis. The medical term for this is phimosis and is most common in boys around puberty.
- If the foreskin is damaged or infected and is too tight to be pulled forward over the head of the penis.
Are there any alternatives?
There may be alternatives to having a circumcision for medical reasons and you may want to discuss these with your consultant before going ahead with a circumcision.
They include:
- A surgeon may be able to loosen the foreskin by making one, or a few, small slits in it to stretch it, rather than remove it completely.
- If parts of the foreskin stay stuck to the penis, the skin can be separated with a minor operation, called Division of Adhesions (N3020).
- Creams which claim to help thin and soften the foreskin so it is easier to pull back. However, there is no scientific proof that they permanently work
The procedure
Circumcision is carried out under a general anaesthetic in theatre, usually as a day-case procedure, which means that you can generally go home on the same day. Sometimes, depending upon your own medical history and how you have reacted to the operation, you may have to stay in overnight.
After the operation
Painkillers will be given to help relieve any discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. If the operation has been planned as a day case, you will usually able to go home once you have made a full recovery from the anaesthetic. Ideally you will have been able to pass urine before you go home.
You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you for the next 24 hours.
Before discharge, you will be given advice about caring for the healing wound, hygiene and bathing.
Once home, more painkillers can be taken if needed, as advised by your consultant or nurse. It will be more comfortable to wear loose clothing such as boxer shorts or a dressing gown until the wound has healed as tight-fitting clothes may rub the wound and make it sore. To stop clothes sticking to the operation site, you can apply a little petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline).
Passing urine may be painful for a few days. Putting a little petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) on the tip of the penis before urinating may help ease this.
It is very important to keep the penis clean. The area should be kept dry for 48 hours after the operation. After this, take warm baths or showers once or twice a day. Don't use bubble bath or scented soaps, as these may irritate your operation site. After each bath or shower, the penis should be left to dry naturally.
Dissolvable stitches will drop out in the bath within about three weeks, but the wound may bleed slightly until all the stitches are dissolved.
Children will be able to return to school after 7 to 10 days and resume sports and swimming two or three weeks after the operation provided there is no discomfort or swelling.
Adults should not drive until they can perform an emergency stop without discomfort, usually around about five days after the operation.
Follow your consultant’s advice about sexual activity. Having an erection will be painful for a few days after the operation, so you should try to avoid situations that could cause arousal, and should not have sexual intercourse until the wound has healed completely. This can take up to about four weeks. If you have sexual intercourse too soon, the wound could re-open and you may need another operation.
Complications
Circumcision is a generally safe surgical procedure with the potential benefit is greater than the disadvantages. Side-effects, usually temporary, of circumcision include:
- Feeling sick as a result of the general anaesthetic
- Pain at the end of the penis
- Swollen and bruised skin around the penis, which may last several weeks
Complications are unexpected problems that can occur during or after the procedure. Most people are not affected. Complications of circumcision are rare but include those below:
- Bleeding during or soon after the procedure
- Infections
- Abnormal reactions to the anaesthetic
- Damage to the penis or urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the body). This is very rare but may require another operation.
- Removal of too little or too much of the foreskin.
- Scarring can result from the operation.
- The penis may feel more or less sensitive after the operation.
The chance of complications depends on the exact type of operation you are having and other factors such as your general health. Your consultant will explain how the risks apply to you.
Our charge for this procedure can be found in our Price List
|