Circumcision (adult)
This page will give you information about a circumcision.
If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or other relevant
health professional.
What is a circumcision?
A circumcision is an operation to remove the foreskin. There are
common medical reasons for needing a circumcision such as a
non-retractile foreskin, balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO), pain
during sex and recurrent infections.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
If BXO is suspected, a circumcision is the only dependable way
to cure the condition. For other conditions, a dorsal slit
operation or a preputioplasty may be recommended.
What does the operation involve?
A circumcision is usually
performed under a general anaesthetic. Your surgeon will remove the
foreskin and seal off any small blood vessels.
They will then stitch the two edges of skin together (see figure
1).
Figure 1: Circumcision
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical wound
- Unsightly scarring
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Difficulty passing urine
- Developing an ulcer at the tip of the penis
- Narrowing of the opening of the urethra
- Not enough foreskin is removed
- Too much foreskin is removed
- Damage to the urethra
- Reduced pleasure from sex
- Injury to the penis
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after. The
penis usually looks swollen and red for the first week. This is a
normal reaction to the operation. To start with, you should rest
and wear loose underwear.
Summary
A circumcision is an operation to remove the foreskin.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Simon Parsons DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Mr Jonathan
Sutcliffe FRCS
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment
- Ashtead, Surrey, Ashtead Hospital
- Bingley, Yorkshire Clinic
- Boston, Boston Treatment Centre
- Caterham, North Downs Hospital
- Chelmsford, Springfield Hospital
- Chorley, Euxton Hall Hospital
- Colchester, Oaks Hospital
- Doncaster, Park Hill Hospital
- Gloucester, Winfield Hospital
- Halesowen, West Midlands Hospital
- Hitchin, Pinehill Hospital
- Kettering, Woodand Hospital
- Nottinghamshire, Nottingham Hospital
- Ormskirk, Renacres Hospital
- Peterborough, Fitzwilliam Hospital
- Preston, Fulwood hospital
- Reading, Berkshire Independent Hospital
- Salford, Oaklands Hospital
- Salisbury, New Hall Hospital
- Sawbridgeworth, Rivers Hospital
- Stafford, Rowley Hospital
- Torquay, Mount Stuart Hospital
- Truro, Duchy Hospital