Circumcision

A circumcision is the surgical reduction of the skin that covers the tip of the penis. It is considered a standard procedure for newborn boys in certain parts of the world. A circumcision can occur at any point in a man's life, but it can be a more complex procedure the older you get.

For some men, circumcision is a religious practice. Other reasons to perform a circumcision could also be a matter of family tradition, personal hygiene or preventative health care. For others, however, circumcision seems unwarranted or disfiguring.

Circumcision may have various health benefits, such as:

Easier hygiene. The procedure makes it easier to wash the penis. Although, boys with uncircumcised penises can be taught to wash under the foreskin properly.

Decreased risk of urinary tract infections. Uncircumcised males have a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections. More severe infections can lead to kidney problems later in life.

Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections. Circumcised men may have less risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Regardless, safe sexual practices are essential to prevent the transmission of STIs.

Prevention of specific penile problems. Sometimes, the uncircumcised foreskin can be difficult to retract, leading to the foreskin or the head of the penis becoming inflamed.

Lower risk of penile cancer. Even though cancer of the penis is rare, it's even less common in circumcised men. In addition, cervical cancer is also less common in the female sexual partners of circumcised men.

How you prepare for a Circumcision

Before circumcision, Dr Mkhize will explain the risks and benefits of circumcision. You will need to provide Dr Mkhize with written consent for the procedure, whether you plan to have your son circumcised or pursue circumcision for yourself.

What you can expect

Circumcision of a newborn is a straightforward procedure. However, the surgery is slightly more complicated for an adult and can take 30 minutes to an hour to complete.

An anaesthetist will administer medication to help sedate you. You may receive general anaesthesia or more localised anaesthesia, depending on your preferences.

During the procedure, Dr Mkhize will move the foreskin away from the head of the penis and then back onto the shaft. Then, he'll take measurements of exactly how much skin they need to remove.

Then, Dr Mkhize will use a scalpel to cut the skin.

The skin will then be cauterised or stitched back to the shaft with dissolvable sutures for adults. The medical team will take you to the recovery room when the stitches are in, and the penis is wrapped in protective gauze.

Most men can go home the day of the procedure, as long as there are no immediate complications.

Problems after circumcision are uncommon. Contact Dr Mkhize if:

• There's persistent bleeding,
• You don't resume normal urination within 12 hours of the procedure,
• There's foul-smelling drainage coming from the tip of the penis, or
• The plastic ring is still in place within two weeks of the procedure.