Q)
What is Circumcision?
A)
Circumcision is surgical removal of the foreskin [the skin and
mucosal tissue that covers the glans (head) of the penis].
Q) What are the reasons to perform a Circumcision?
A)
Circumcision is routinely performed for cultural or religious
reasons.
The
common medical grounds for which Circumcision is performed are:
-
- Phimosis
or tight foreskin (other modes of treatment for phimosis include
– steroid creams, stretching & preputioplasty).
- Infection
of gangrene of the foreskin
Q) When should a Circumcision be done?
A)
Though lots of infants are circumcised at birth due to religious
grounds, there are no valid reasons as to when to do a Circumcision.
Hence,
Circumcision is advised only on definite medical grounds or on
religious or cultural issues.
Q)
If Circumcision involves removal of the fore skin, what is the
foreskin there for?
A)
In children, the foreskin is fused to the glans at birth and
will separate over a variable period of time after the first few
years. Before the child becomes toilet trained, the fore skin
protects against abrasions from diapers and feces.
Throughout
the life, the foreskin keeps the glans soft and moist and protects
it from trauma and injury. The foreskin provides ample loose skin
for the penis to occupy when erect and allows the glans and fore
skin to naturally stimulate each other.
Q)
What are the risks of performing a Circumcision?
A)
Circumcision may cause.
- Excessive
bleeding.
- Injury
to the glands.
- Infection.
- Surgical
error, including removal of too much skin.
- Meatal
stenosis (due to probable scarring).
Also
see "
Penile Hygiene".
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Last
updated on 8-12-2000
