Circumcision is a procedure performed to remove the foreskin of the penis. The surgery can be performed on newborns, children, or adults for personal or religious reasons. Some conditions also require the removal of the foreskin, such as balanitis, phimosis, and others. In newborn babies, circumcision surgery is performed for cultural reasons.

To provide the readers with a better understanding of circumcision surgery, Dr. Niren Rao, a leading urologist at Delhi Urology Hospital, has shared important insights about the same in this blog. The expert doctor is widely known for performing the successful and safe Circumcision Surgery in Delhi. Keep reading to learn more.

Why is Circumcision Surgery Needed? 

Circumcision surgery is done for both medical and religious purposes. For some individuals, it is a matter of maintaining personal hygiene or for preventive reasons. Sometimes it can be done for medical/surgical reasons, such as:

  • Tight foreskin, i.e., it does pull back or retract
  • Recurrent balanoposthitis (A condition where there is a recurrent infection of the foreskin and penile head or the glans. This is common in individuals with diabetes). 
  • Paraphimiosis (This happens when the tight foreskin gets retracted and becomes swollen and painful. It instead becomes an emergency since a delay can lead to necrosis foreskin and glans penis). 
  • Swelling of the foreskin
  • Phimosis (This refers to the scarring and inflammation of the head of the penis)
  • Penile cancer.

Circumcision is known to have several health benefits too. These include: 

  1. Better hygiene: After circumcision, the penis is simpler to wash and clean.
  2. Reduced risk of urinary tract infections: The absence of the foreskin can reduce the risk of developing a UTI. Severe infections at a young age can cause kidney diseases later in life.
  3. Lessened risk of sexually transmitted infections: Men who have undergone circumcision may have a reduced risk of acquiring STIs like gonorrhoea and HIV. 
  4. Less risk of penile cancer: Decreases the risk of getting penile cancer.

How is Circumcision Surgery Performed? 

At Delhi Urology Hospital, there are two methods to perform circumcision, which are as below:

  1. Traditional Method: The foreskin is freed from the glans, under proper anaesthesia and antibiotics, and the surgeon cuts the foreskin and is sutured with absorbable sutures.
  1. Stapled Circumcision: In this method, the expert urologist uses a stapling device to perform the surgery. Instead of sutures, the skin is stapled using small metallic staples.

Circumcision is performed under three different kinds of anaesthesia:

  • Local anaesthesia: administering infections at the base of the penis to numb the organ.
  • Spinal anaesthesia: administering small injections to numb the lower part for a few hours.
  • General anaesthesia: for small children or anxious adults. 

What are the Preparations to Under Circumcision Surgery? 

  • Pre-operative CBC tests are performed to assess the patient's health for the surgery. 
  • In the case of injection, antibiotics are given to reduce heat or treat the infection. 
  • For diabetic patients, adequate sugar control is given before the surgery. 
  • Older patients who are on blood thinning medicines should stop the medicine 5-6 days before the surgery after consulting the physician. 

What are the Pre-operative and Post-operative Instructions for Circumcision Surgery? 

Before the Procedure

Smoking delays the healing of wounds as it reduces the amount of oxygen that goes on to the tissues. To lower the chance of chest problems, stopping smoking at least 24 hours before the procedure is vital. If one is taking any blood thinning medications, one should inform the urologist regarding the same. 

After the Procedure

  • Post-surgery, the patient will have a small dressing around the penis. The patent himself can remove this after 24 hours of the surgery. 
  • Patients should take antibiotics for 5-7 days post-surgery.
  • To prevent infection, one should bathe daily and cleanse the wounds after dressing removal. 

How is Recovery After Circumcision Surgery? 

Foreskin removal surgery at Delhi Urology Hospital is a daycare procedure where the patients are discharged on a similar day. The patient can resume their regular routine from the very next day of dressing removal. However, they are advised to refrain from physical activity and exercise for 7 days post-procedure. 

What Complications Might Arise After a Circumcision Surgery? 

The chances of complications after circumcision surgery are rare but can include: 

  • Pain
  • Infection
  • Excessive bleeding
  • Cutting the foreskin either too long or too short
  • Irritation to the head of the penis since the foreskin protects the head of the penis
  • Reduced sensitivity might cause a decrease in sexual pleasure later in life or painful intercourse for the man’s sexual partner. 

If the patient experiences persistent bleeding, excessive pain, severe swelling, pus coming from the wound, an abnormal colour around the wound site, difficulty in passing urine, redness at the wound site, etc., after the surgery, one should immediately consult an experienced urologist. Dr. Niren Rao is a leading urologist at Delhi Urology Hospital with over a decade of experience in performing penile routine and reconstructive surgeries. The expert doctor uses state-of-the-art methods to provide the best outcomes while ensuring the safety and privacy of his patients in mind. 

To learn more about circumcision surgery, book an appointment with Dr. Niren Rao, Circumcision Doctor in Delhi, at the renowned hospital, Delhi Urology Hospital today!