What is Circumcision Surgery?
Circumcision is a surgical procedure where a small piece of skin called the foreskin, which covers the tip of the penis is gently removed. It's a relatively quick and common surgery often done for newborns but sometimes for older boys and adults too.
The circumcision procedure is usually quick and safe, and it can be done in a hospital. In adults or older children, circumcision might be recommended to treat conditions like phimosis (tight foreskin), recurrent infections, or for personal hygiene reasons. Recovery is generally smooth, with mild discomfort, swelling, or soreness for a few days. Doctors usually give simple care instructions to help with healing and prevent infection.
What is the Purpose of Circumcision?
Circumcision is done for a variety of reasons. Some families choose it for cultural, religious, or traditional beliefs.
In many cases, it is also performed for medical reasons to prevent infections or improve hygiene.
- Medical Reasons: Sometimes the foreskin might be too tight to pull back (a condition known as phimosis), which may lead to pain, discomfort, or repeated infections. In such cases, circumcision is a helpful treatment.
- Studies have found that circumcision can slightly reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs), some sexually transmitted infections (including HIV in high-risk populations), and penile cancer, though these risks are rare regardless of circumcision status.
- Cultural or Religious Practices: For many families, circumcision is an important cultural or religious tradition commonly followed in Jewish and Islamic communities.
Types of Circumcision Techniques
There are several trusted techniques, each chosen based on the patient's age, the surgeon's expertise, and the patient's specific healing needs.
- Gomco Clamp Method: This is one of the most widely used techniques for infants. A metal bell is placed over the glans (head of the penis), and the foreskin is pulled over it and trapped between a clamp and a base plate. The clamp is tightened to stop blood flow, and then the excess foreskin is removed with a scalpel.
- Mogen Clamp Method: In this technique, the foreskin is drawn forward and held with a clamp that resembles pliers. The doctor then trims off the excess skin without placing a protective bell underneath, making it fast and efficient.
- Plastibell Device: Ideal for infants, this involves placing a plastic ring between the foreskin and the glans. A tight ligature is tied around the foreskin, which along with the ring, naturally falls off within 7-10 days.
- Dorsal Slit Technique: The surgeon creates a vertical cut along the upper side of the foreskin to expose the glans without removing tissue. Often used when full circumcision is not practical or for quick relief in cases like phimosis (tight foreskin).
- Freehand (Cuff/Sleeve Resection) Technique: Typically used in older children or adults. The surgeon precisely marks the amount of foreskin to remove and carefully excises it using a scalpel, followed by suturing the edges.
- Forceps-Guided or Sleeve Resection (Surgical): The foreskin is grasped with forceps, and a clean incision is made using a scalpel. A sleeve of skin is removed, providing accurate control for bleeding and edge alignment.
- Thermocautery-Assisted Circumcision (TAC): This modern technique uses a heated device to remove the foreskin. A recent study found TAC significantly reduces bleeding and the duration of surgery compared to traditional methods like dorsal slit or forceps-guided techniques, though swelling may last slightly longer.
30 minutes to 1 hour
Surgery Duration
Local anesthesia
Anesthesia Used
Mostly same-day discharge
Hospital Stay
6 to 8 weeks
Full Recovery Timeline
What are the Indications for Adult Circumcision?
Circumcision in adults is uncommon, but when it's medically needed, it can relieve significant discomfort and reduce the risk of complications. The most frequent medical reasons to consider adult circumcision include:
- Phimosis: This condition occurs when the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis. It's the leading indication for adult circumcision and can cause pain during erections, difficulty urinating, and recurrent infections.
- Paraphimosis: Here, the retracted foreskin cannot be returned to its original position, leading to painful swelling and potentially serious complications. This is a medical emergency and often requires urgent circumcision.
- Recurrent Balanitis or Balanoposthitis: These are repeated inflammations or infections of the head of the penis or foreskin. When conservative treatments fail to resolve the issue fully, circumcision becomes a viable preventive option.
- Dyspareunia (Pain During Sex): Some men experience painful intercourse due to a tight or scarred foreskin. A study found that dyspareunia accounted for nearly 18% of adult circumcision cases.
- Rigid or Scarred Foreskin Conditions (e.g., Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans): These skin conditions make the foreskin inelastic and may increase the risk of additional complications, including rare cases of penile cancer. Circumcision can offer relief and protection when such conditions persist.
How to Prepare for Expert Circumcision Surgery?
Good preparation helps ensure a smoother surgery and recovery. Here's how you can get ready for a circumcision procedure.
Consultation & Medical Checkup
Before your surgery, you'll meet your doctor to:
- Go over your medical history.
- Review all medications, vitamins, and supplements you're taking, especially if you use blood thinners or anti-inflammatories, as these can increase bleeding risk.
- Discuss any allergies, particularly to anesthesia or disinfectants.
Diet & Medication Prep
- Fasting: Don't eat or drink anything for at least 6-8 hours before surgery. This is crucial to avoid delays or cancellations.
- Medications: If on blood-thinning medication, your doctor may ask you to stop it several days before the procedure.
Personal Readiness
- Hygiene: Shower the night before or the morning of surgery using antibacterial soap. Avoid perfumes, deodorants, lotions, and nail polish.
- Clothing: Wear loose-fitting clothes and underwear to avoid irritation after surgery.
- Shave Carefully: Shave the genital area on the day of surgery to lower the chance of infection.
- Arrange Transport: You won't be able to drive after surgery. Make sure someone can take you home.
On the Day of Surgery
- Arrive on time, typically 30 minutes before the scheduled procedure, to handle any final admin or prep steps.
- The procedure itself usually takes less than one hour. You may receive local or general anesthesia depending on your case.
Post-Surgery Care
- Expect mild swelling and tenderness. Your doctor may use petroleum jelly and a dressing to protect the site.
- Clean the area gently with water, change dressings as instructed, and avoid sexual activity or strenuous exercise for a few weeks.
- Watch for warning signs: significant bleeding, fever, or delayed healing. If these occur, contact your doctor promptly.
Steps During the Circumcision Surgery Procedure
Circumcision is a simple surgical procedure performed under sterile conditions. Here's a step-by-step look at what happens during the surgery.
Preparation and Consent
Before the surgery, your doctor will:
- Explain the procedure, its benefits, risks, and answer your questions, ensuring you're fully informed and comfortable.
- Get your written consent.
- Prepare the genital area with gentle antiseptic cleaning; trimming or shaving pubic hair is usually avoided to reduce infection risk.
Anaesthesia for Pain Management
- Newborns typically receive a local anaesthetic, such as a penile ring block, dorsal nerve block, or numbing cream. Some practices also offer sweetened solutions as comfort during the procedure.
- Older children and adults may need a ring block, dorsal nerve block, or even general anaesthesia.
Exposure and Device Placement
Depending on the technique selected (based on age and preference), the surgeon will:
- Gently retract the foreskin to expose the glans.
- For device-based methods (Gomco, Mogen, Plastibell):
- Gomco clamp: Places a bell over the glans, traps the foreskin, and crushes it before excision.
- Mogen clamp: Secures the foreskin with a clamp and removes excess skin without a bell-shaped guard.
- Plastibell device: A ring is placed under the foreskin and tied. The excess skin is cut away. The plastic ring remains in place and naturally falls off after several days.
Removal of the Foreskin
- With clamps or devices in place, the surgeon carefully removes the foreskin, using a scalpel or scissors.
- Sutures may be placed if needed, typically dissolvable ones.
Post-Procedure Dressing and Hygiene
- The wound is gently cleaned and often protected with petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment, then covered with sterile gauze or a loose diaper.
- For Plastibell users, the ring remains until it falls off naturally (usually within 7-10 days).
Who Will Do Circumcision Surgery?
Circumcision is performed by:
- Urologists: Urology Specialists in the male urinary and reproductive systems; commonly perform circumcision in adults.
- Pediatric surgeons or pediatric urologists: Perform circumcision in infants and children.
- General surgeons may also perform the procedure on various age groups, depending on the healthcare setting.
- Obstetricians: In some hospitals, obstetricians perform circumcision shortly after birth.
- Family physicians or general practitioners: In specific clinics or regions, they may perform circumcision for infants or children.
These professionals are trained to ensure the procedure is safe, sterile, and performed with minimal discomfort.
What is the Circumcision Recovery Time?
Most people go home the same day after a circumcision, whether it's for a newborn, child, or adult. Recovery is usually smooth, but your body needs a little care and time to heal properly.
- Immediate recovery: Following the surgery, the patient is monitored for a brief time. Children can frequently return home the same day.
- Post-operative care: Pain treatment and thorough washing of the region are necessary. For a few weeks, avoid intense exercise to ensure optimal recovery.
- Healing period: For children, full recovery can take 1 to 2 weeks, but adults may require more time.
Lifestyle Changes After Circumcision Surgery
Following circumcision, certain lifestyle adjustments can help ensure a smooth recovery and prevent complications:
- Maintain hygiene: Gently clean the area with warm water; avoid using harsh soaps or scrubbing.
- Wear loose-fitting underwear: This reduces friction and allows airflow to support healing.
- Avoid strenuous activities: Refrain from heavy lifting, cycling, or sexual activity for a few weeks, as advised by the doctor.
- Follow wound care instructions: Use any prescribed ointments and change dressings as directed.
- Monitor for signs of infection: Watch for increased redness, swelling, pus, or fever, and contact your doctor if they occur.
- Stay hydrated and eat well: Proper nutrition supports tissue healing and immune function.
- Avoid baths and swimming: Until the wound is healed, to reduce infection risk.
Benefits of Circumcision
Reduces Risk of Certain Infections
- Circumcised infants have a significantly lower chance of urinary tract infections (UTIs), which are more common in uncircumcised boys, particularly in the first year of life.
- Circumcision also lowers the risk of infections like balanitis (foreskin inflammation) and phimosis (a tight foreskin that can't retract).
Potential Protection Against Serious Health Issues
- Evidence shows reduced risks of penile cancer later in life, and, in high-risk populations, fewer sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and HPV, when performed by medical professionals.
Easier Hygiene and Prevention of Recurrent Problems
With no foreskin, the penis is easier to clean, which may reduce the buildup of smegma and bacteria-related problems.
Risks and Complications of the Circumcision Surgery Procedure
Circumcision is normally a safe procedure; it does carry a few risks, including:
- Infection: There's a small risk of infection if post-surgery care is not followed properly.
- Excessive bleeding: Although rare, bleeding may occur during or after surgery.
- Scarring: In some cases, there may be visible scarring or an abnormal appearance of the penis.
- Pain and discomfort: Mild pain or discomfort is normal during the healing process.
What is the Circumcision Surgery Cost?
Circumcision is a simple surgical procedure that removes the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. It is commonly performed for medical reasons, such as phimosis, paraphimosis, recurrent infections, or hygiene concerns.
At Medicover Hospitals, our experienced urologists offer gentle, precise techniques like open, stapler (ZSR), and laser circumcision to ensure fast healing and minimal discomfort.
The cost of circumcision surgery typically ranges from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 35,000, depending on the method used, hospital type, and city. These estimates include the surgeon's fee, operating room charges, anaesthesia, medications, and follow-up care; however, exact costs vary by city, hospital infrastructure, procedure type, and patient condition.
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