Circumcision (foreskin removal)

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Circumcision — is a surgical operation during which the foreskin of the penis is removed. It is performed for medical indications or by the man's personal decision.

At «Oxford Medical», foreskin circumcision is performed by experienced genital surgeons who use modern surgical techniques. This makes it possible to perform the intervention carefully, with minimal tissue trauma, and to form a thin, barely noticeable postoperative scar.

If you are planning to undergo circumcision, make an appointment with a urologist or genital surgeon at «Oxford Medical». The doctor will conduct an examination and explain which option of intervention will be appropriate in your case.

The type of operation depends on how much of the foreskin needs to be removed and where the postoperative suture line will be located. This determines not only the appearance after healing, but also how exposed the glans penis will remain.

By the extent of circumcision

• Complete foreskin circumcision — the tissues are cut so that the glans penis remains exposed permanently, including in a relaxed state.

• Partial circumcision — only part of the foreskin is removed. After healing, it continues to partially cover the glans penis.

By the height of the scar location

The difference between these options lies in how far from the glans the postoperative scar is formed:

• high circumcision — the suture line is located farther from the glans, so a larger part of the inner layer of the foreskin is preserved;

• medium (classic) circumcision — the scar is formed at a medium distance from the glans;

• low circumcision — the suture line is located closer to the coronal sulcus, while the inner part of the foreskin remains minimal.

The doctor discusses the specific option with the patient before the operation. The reason for the intervention, anatomical features, and the desired aesthetic result are taken into account.

Foreskin circumcision surgery is performed both for medical indications and at the man's personal request.

The operation is most often performed in the following cases:

• phimosis — narrowing of the foreskin that makes it difficult or impossible to fully expose the glans penis;

• paraphimosis — constriction of the glans by the narrowed foreskin, which requires urgent medical care;

• chronic balanitis or balanoposthitis — recurrent inflammatory processes of the glans penis and foreskin;

• scar changes, cracks, and repeated trauma to the foreskin;

• correction of an unsatisfactory functional or aesthetic result of a previous operation;

• the man's personal decision to undergo circumcision for aesthetic, cultural, or religious reasons.

Doctors at «Oxford Medical» recommend seeking a consultation if pain, discomfort, recurrent inflammation, or other changes in the foreskin area have appeared. After the examination, the doctor will assess the condition of the tissues and determine whether circumcision will be the optimal treatment method in your case.

If there are no medical indications, the man makes the decision about the operation independently. Among the advantages of circumcision, simpler intimate hygiene, a lower risk of recurrent inflammation and tissue trauma, and, for some men, the desired aesthetic result are usually noted.

Before the operation, the doctor assesses the patient's general health condition and rules out conditions in which it is better to temporarily postpone the intervention. Most contraindications to circumcision in men are temporary, so after treatment or stabilization of the condition, the operation can be performed.

Foreskin circumcision is usually not performed in the following cases:

• acute infectious diseases with an increase in temperature and deterioration of well-being;

• acute inflammatory processes or pronounced skin changes in the genital area;

• blood clotting disorders that increase the risk of bleeding;

• severe chronic diseases in the stage of decompensation.

After temporary contraindications have been eliminated, the doctor reassesses the patient's condition and determines when the operation can be performed safely.

Complex preparation for the operation is usually not required. Before the intervention, the patient has a consultation with a urologist or genital surgeon: the doctor conducts an examination, clarifies the complaints, assesses the condition of the foreskin, and determines the extent of the operation.

During the consultation, it is important to tell the doctor about chronic diseases, allergic reactions, and medications that you take regularly. This especially applies to medications that affect blood clotting. If necessary, the doctor may recommend changing the medication regimen before the operation.

On the day of the intervention, it is enough to take a shower and perform normal genital hygiene. If additional examinations are required taking into account the patient's health condition, including tests or an ECG, the doctor will prescribe them during the preliminary consultation.

Male circumcision is performed under local anesthesia. During the operation, the patient remains conscious but does not feel pain in the area of the intervention.

The operation is performed in several stages:

1. The doctor treats the penis with an antiseptic solution and administers local anesthesia.

2. The foreskin is fixed with surgical instruments and incised to expose the glans penis.

3. Depending on the planned extent of the intervention, partial or complete circumcision of the foreskin is performed. If necessary, correction of the frenulum is performed at the same time.

4. After completing the main stage, the doctor forms an even tissue edge and applies sutures.

Classic surgical instruments or a laser may be used to dissect the tissues — depending on the chosen technique. Regardless of the method, the doctor carefully forms the tissue edges and applies sutures so that after healing the scar is thin and barely noticeable.

In the first days after the operation, moderate pain, redness, and increased sensitivity of the glans penis may appear. Slight swelling after circumcision is also considered a normal postoperative reaction and gradually decreases over the following weeks.

During the recovery period, it is important to follow several rules:

• gently wash the postoperative area with water every day, do not rub the suture, and after washing gently pat it dry with a clean soft towel;

• do not apply soap directly to the postoperative wound and do not take prolonged baths until it heals;

• for at least 2 weeks, avoid intense physical activity, sports, cycling, and lifting heavy objects;

• refrain from sexual intercourse and masturbation for at least 4 weeks, until the postoperative area has completely healed.

Such care after foreskin circumcision helps create better conditions for tissue healing and reduce the risk of tissue trauma.

Sutures after circumcision are usually applied with absorbable threads, so they do not need to be removed. In most cases, the threads gradually dissolve over several weeks, while complete healing after the operation takes approximately 4–6 weeks.

In most cases, recovery after circumcision proceeds without serious problems. At the same time, as after any surgical intervention, postoperative complications are possible in rare cases.

These include:

• bleeding from the postoperative wound;

• infection of the tissues in the suture area;

• separation of the sutures or delayed wound healing;

• formation of a coarse or noticeable postoperative scar.

The risk of complications increases if the postoperative area is injured, sexual activity is resumed too early, or hygiene rules are not followed. At the same time, such consequences of circumcision in men occur infrequently.

Specialists at «Oxford Medical» recommend consulting a doctor if bleeding does not stop after the operation, swelling or pain increases, purulent discharge appears, or body temperature rises. Such symptoms may indicate the development of a complication and require an examination.

You can view the price of foreskin circumcision at the «Oxford Medical» medical center here. The final cost may differ depending on the extent of the surgical intervention and other individual characteristics. The doctor will be able to provide more precise information regarding the price after conducting an examination.

To make an appointment with a urologist, use the online appointment form on the website or contact the contact center administrators. At «Oxford Medical», you can receive all the necessary medical services in one place — from consultation and preparation for the operation to circumcision and postoperative follow-up.

The information is for informational purposes and does not replace a consultation with a doctor.

Sources:

• NHS England

• US National Library of Medicine

• National Institutes of Health