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What is circumcision?
Circumcision is the surgical removal of your child’s foreskin (the skin covering the tip of the penis).
Private circumcision surgery may be recommended for various medical conditions such as:
- a tight foreskin
- foreskin infections
- cancer of the penis
At Evelina London Children’s Hospital our paediatric gastrointestinal surgeons work together with our specialist urology team to provide comprehensive care for children of all ages.
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Why might a circumcision be performed?
Circumcision may be recommended to treat a range of conditions that affect the penis.
Phimosis
Phimosis is when the foreskin becomes too tight and cannot be pulled back over the head of your child’s penis. The condition can cause pain and, in some cases, make urination difficult. In paraphimosis, the foreskin cannot cover the head of your child’s penis once it’s pulled back. As a result, the penis’s head becomes swollen and painful and they would need prompt treatment to prevent blood flow restriction.
Balanitis
Balanitis is another condition that affects the foreskin. In balanitis, the foreskin and head of your child’s penis become inflamed and infected. Sometimes, this condition recurs and circumcision is the most suitable treatment.
Other conditions include:
- Lichen sclerosus (Balanitis xerotica obliterans) – this is a skin condition that can cause scarring of the foreskin. In some cases, the recommended treatment for this is circumcision.
- Cancer of the penis – this is rare, but can cause a growth or ulcer at the end of the penis or under the foreskin, bleeding, discharge and skin changes. One of the recommended treatments for penile cancer is circumcision.
How does circumcision surgery work?
We carry out circumcision as a day-patient procedure, which means your child can go home on the same day, as long as there are no complications.
Once you arrive at the hospital, you and your child will meet with our full medical team who will explain the procedure. The team will include your child’s surgeon and anaesthetist; you’ll have the opportunity to ask them any questions at this point.
Circumcision is performed under a general anaesthetic, meaning your child will be asleep throughout. It is a straightforward procedure where the surgeon will remove the foreskin with a scalpel or surgical scissors. After which, they’ll stop any bleeding using cauterisation (heat) and stitch the skin with dissolvable sutures.
A circumcision procedure should only take around 30 minutes to complete. However, if there are any rare complications, it can take slightly longer.
No, circumcision is not reversible.
It will take around 10 days for your child to heal and recover from a circumcision completely. They may need to take up to a week off of school, but the consultant will be able to advise at the time. The dissolvable stitches will disappear within four weeks.
In the first three or four days, your child may experience discomfort and swelling around the head of your penis. However, over-the-counter pain relief medication can help. Try to ensure they wear loose-fitting clothing to prevent further irritation.
It is possible for your child to get an infection after a circumcision, but it can be avoided by following proper aftercare guidance.
Always seek medical advice if they experience:
- increased redness
- a high temperature
- persistent pain or throbbing that isn’t getting better.
Benefits of a circumcision
The benefits of circumcision include:
- reduced risk of urinary tract infections
- reduced risk of penile cancer
- prevention of balanitis and phimosis
- easier to maintain personal hygiene
If you’re unsure whether circumcision is right for your child, speak with a member of our team who will be happy to discuss options with you.
Risks of a circumcision
Although circumcision is a simple procedure, like all surgeries there are some risks associated with it.
Risks of circumcision can include:
- pain
- bleeding and infection
- irritation of the head of the penis
- increased risk of inflammation of the penis opening
Our team are dedicated to minimising these risks and providing you and your child with safe and effective treatment.
Locations
Our children's urology service is available at the following locations:
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