CIRCUMCISION

What is Circumcision?

Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin from the human penis. Boys are born with a hood of skin, called the foreskin, covering the head (also called the glans) of the penis. In the most common procedure, the foreskin is surgically removed; exposing the end of the penis and the foreskin is separated from the glans.

General description

The aim of the procedure is surgical removal of the foreskin. The operation is performed as a day-case under general anaesthesia. The operation usually takes about 30 minutes.

Preparations

Your child will need to fast for solids and liquids generally for about 6 hours before the start of the procedure. In breast-fed babies or infants this time may be reduced after consultation with the anaesthetist. Please ring the Day Surgery Unit one working day before surgery to confirm these times. It is often helpful to bring your child’s favourite toy with you on the day.

Anaesthesia

You and your child will meet the anaesthetist prior to the procedure. After talking to you and briefly examining your child, they will take you through to the operating theatre. One parent is welcome to accompany your child until they are asleep. The anaesthetist puts your child to sleep via a face mask (with children 5 years and over there is the option of either a face mask or a needle with numbing cream). You will then be shown the waiting room where there is tea, coffee or water available to drink.

Once your child is asleep, the anaesthetist will insert a ‘drip’ to allow fluids to be given directly into a vein. Usually this is located in the hand or arm, but occasionally may need to be sited in the leg or scalp. The anaesthetist will then inject some local anaesthetic to numb the penis. Usually this is injected around the base of the penis, but occasionally it may be given near the base of the spine near the ‘tail’ bone, termed a ‘Caudal’. Please inform the anaesthetist if you wish to discuss the relative risks and benefits of these two options.

Procedure

The penis is cleaned with an antiseptic solution. The foreskin is removed and any bleeding stopped with an electrical cautery instrument. The wound is then closed using a pale yellow stitch material that will dissolve slowly over the next 2 to 6 weeks. No dressing is used, but an antibiotic ointment is applied to the wound to help prevent infection.

Initial recovery

Once the operation has finished, your child will be taken to the recovery area. When they are awake, you will be called into the recovery ward. Often children appear distressed and a little confused initially – there may be several reasons for this including residual effects of the anaesthetic, hunger, and some discomfort. Generally they will settle quite quickly, especially if offered a drink or feed. The recovery and ward staff are also able to give pain relief medication once your child is awake, and this is sometimes required. The nursing staff will check the wound and make sure you are happy before you go home. Usually this will be about 2 hours after the surgery.

Post-operative course

There may be a small amount of blood that oozes from the wound, enough to lightly stain a nappy or pair of under pants. Any further bleeding should be discussed with your local doctor or myself. Paracetamol (‘Panadol’) should be given on the afternoon and evening of surgery, and in the morning of the following day. After that time, assess your child’s pain to see if further doses are required. Children over 12 months of age may require stronger analgesia such as ‘Painstop Day-time’ (or ‘Painstop Night-time’ if over one year of age) for the first day or so. For either Panadol or Painstop Day-time, follow the manufacturer’s dose instruction but never give more than 4 doses in a 24-hour period and never both at the same time.

Your child should not be bathed on the first night, but nappies can be changed as required and a ‘wetwipe’ or similar cloth used. Normal bathing is safe from the next day onwards. It is important to apply the tube of topical antibiotic cream (‘Chlorsig’) supplied to the wound 2 to 3 times a day for 1 week. In addition, to help prevent the tip of the penis from sticking to underpants or nappies, a thin layer of ‘Vaseline’ or petroleum jelly is helpful. When your child passes urine, the stream may be difficult to control at first. It may also be deflected to one side or another for the first week or so. This is because of the normal swelling following surgery and is no cause for concern.

Often the tip of the penis, called the glans, will appear red, swollen and ulcerated in the first few weeks after surgery. A white layer of fibrin may also appear to cover the head of the penis. This is normal and does not represent infection. The covering of the glans needs to change from a protected moist covering, like the inside of the mouth, to dry skin like the rest of the body. The swelling improves considerably after the first week but does not resolve completely for up to 8 weeks after surgery.

Your child will begin eating once awake after surgery. Start with clear liquids (apple juice, iceblocks) and add solid food slowly and in small amounts. Your child may vomit from the anaesthesia on the day of surgery. This should stop by the morning after surgery.

Return to activity

Your child may return to day care or school when comfortable, usually within 3-5 days. He should not participate in sports or swimming for 3 weeks after the surgery and should not ride straddle toys (bikes, walkers) for 2 full weeks after surgery. You should continue to use your car seat.

Call our office or emergency department on given numbers if:

  • You see any signs of infection
  • Your child’s pain gets worse or is not relieved by painkillers
  • There is bleeding (small ooze of blood in the first day or two is normal)
  • Your child has a high temperature
  • Ongoing vomiting or failure to tolerate fluids on the day following surgery
  • You have any questions or concerns

Follow up 4-6 weeks after surgery.

Follow-up

Normally I see you and your child about 4-6 weeks following surgery. This is both to ensure that the wound has healed and that you and your son are satisfied with the results of the operation. For patients from rural areas, this review may be deferred to your own general practitioner if you prefer. Please ring soon after the operation to book the post operative appointment to arrange a convenient time.

Problems & further surgery

The most common problem following a circumcision is bleeding, occurring in 5% of boys. Some oozing from the wound is normal after the surgery for the first 24- 48 hours. This should not be a steady trickle, however, and if this occurs please contact my rooms or present to the Emergency Department of your local hospital. Generally bleeding can be stopped with pressure or a special dressing. Rarely your son will need to return to theatre for a second operation to stop the bleeding. Parents are often concerned about redness and crusting of the wound and the glans or ‘head’ of the penis in the first week or so. The wound may also appear white and quite moist. This is part of the normal healing process and does not represent infection. Remember the skin of the glans of the penis needs to adapt from being soft, moist skin to tough, dry skin. This process normally takes a few weeks. Infection, if it occurs, usually happens between four and seven days following surgery. It is suggested by a thick, yellow discharge from the wound; pain, fever and increasing redness around the wound. Rarely, parents may be dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of the procedure. Generally the scarring will improve with time. A revision circumcision would normally only be considered if the results remain unsatisfactory after the scar maturation process is complete 12 months following surgery.