Male circumcision is the removal of the foreskin which is the fold of skin covering the end of the penis. Males may be circumcised for either religious reasons or medical reasons. In the past it was thought that circumcision was more hygienic and it therefore became a widespread practice. However, today due to the risk of infection, it is no longer as common.
Circumcision that is performed for medical reasons is usually carried out as a day patient. If it is a baby being circumcised, he will be given a local anaesthetic as a general anaesthetic carry’s too many risks. Local anaesthetic is injected into the base of the penis or applied as a cream. Older children and adults will receive a general anaesthetic.
The procedure is fairly straightforward. A scalpel, scissors or surgical clamp is used to remove the foreskin and any bleeding is stopped using heat. The surgeon will then stitch the remaining edges of the skin together using dissolvable stitches.