Circumcision
Circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin that covers the tip of the penis in males.
Why is circumcision performed?
• Reduced risk of infections - studies have shown that circumcised men have a lower risk of urinary tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, genital herpes, and HPV.
• Easier hygiene - circumcision facilitates genital hygiene maintenance, as there is no foreskin to collect and retain bacteria, and circumcised men often experience fewer issues with irritations and infections.
• Improved sexual hygiene - circumcision reduces the risk of unpleasant odors and bacterial infections that can accumulate under the foreskin.
Medical indications for the procedure
Circumcision is advised in instances of preputial stenosis, a condition characterized by constriction at the opening of the foreskin, rendering it excessively tight to retract over the glans of the penis. Additionally, it is indicated in cases of paraphimosis, wherein the foreskin, once retracted, constricts and becomes entrapped behind the glans, leading to significant medical concern.
Phimosis may be congenital and frequently associated with a short frenulum, the band of tissue connecting the foreskin to the glans, or it may be acquired, stemming from injury, diabetes, or inflammation. Repeated inflammations can result in the formation of scar tissue, further narrowing the foreskin, making penis hygiene difficult and increasing the risk of new infections.
Paraphimosis represents a serious condition in which the constricted foreskin remains trapped behind the glans, potentially compromising blood circulation and occasionally leading to gangrene. Urgent medical intervention is imperative in cases of paraphimosis, either through manual reduction of the foreskin to its normal position or, when this is not feasible, through surgical intervention.
Circumcision surgery is a relatively straightforward procedure that can be performed under local or general anesthesia, typically lasting around half an hour. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an incision at the junction of the penile shaft and glans, removes the foreskin, arrests bleeding, and subsequently sutures the wound using absorbable sutures.
