Circumcision

We are now pleased to provide circumcision service at our practice.

Circumcision is removal of the foreskin over the glans of the penis. This service is available for baby boys within the first two weeks of life. Parents who choose circumcision often do so based on religious beliefs, concerns about hygiene, or cultural or social reasons. Circumcision after the newborn period can be a more complicated procedure and usually requires general anesthesia. Parents wishing to have their sons circumcised are strongly encouraged to inquire before their baby is born.

One of the benefits is that circumcised infants are less likely to develop urinary tract infections. UTIs are about 10 times more common in uncircumcised males than circumcised infants. However, even with this increased risk of UTI, only 1% or less of uncircumcised males will be affected. Circumcised men also might be at lower risk for penile cancer, although the disease is rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised males. Some studies indicate that the procedure might offer an additional line of defense against sexually transmitted diseases.

Although circumcision appears to have some medical benefits, it also carries potential risks — as does any surgical procedure. These risks are small, but you should be aware of both the possible advantages and the problems before you make your decision. Complications of newborn circumcision are uncommon, occurring in between 0.2% to 3% of cases. Of these, the most frequent are minor bleeding, local infection and failure to remove enough foreskin. More serious complications can include inflammation of the penis opening and injury to the penis.

In some instances, doctors may decide to delay the procedure or forgo it altogether. Premature babies or those who have special medical concerns may not be circumcised. And babies born with physical abnormalities of the penis that need to be corrected surgically often aren’t circumcised at all because the foreskin may eventually be used as part of a reconstructive operation.

The circumcisions will be performed in our office. Your baby will be placed in a padded restraint bed and given pain control with a local nerve block. The procedure is performed with the use of a device to separate the glans from the foreskin and a scalpel is used to remove the foreskin.

After the procedure, clean the area gently with warm water. Replace gauze and apply lubricant as instructed. Scabbing, light bleeding and yellow discharge can occur. Contact your MD if you notice persistent bleeding, worsening redness, fever, greenish discharge, inability to urinate normally within 8 hours of the procedure.


About author MacKoul Pediatrics

MacKoul Pediatrics is an amazing local pediatrics office in Cape Coral, FL where caring, compassionate doctors and nurses work with you to keep your children as healthy as possible. MacKoul cares for children from birth to college age, from Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, and beyond.