When considering circumcision for your child, there are several questions you should ask your
doctor. These concerns include the possible complications and pain involved in the procedure as
well as accessing a physician for follow up. Ask about the costs of circumcision and whether
there are medical reasons that prohibit it from being performed at a public hospital. Unless
accompanied with a medical reason, circumcisions are not performed in Australia.
Pain
It is possible for your newborn to experience some pain after circumcision. To relieve pain, you
can apply petroleum jelly to the incision site and the head. You can also clean the circumcision
area with mild soap, water, and then dry it. You may be able to apply ointment at the site of
circumcision to prevent diapers from sticking to it. Your newborn’s healing process will be slowed
if Tylenol and ibuprofen are given.
Your infant may be fussy for several days after the procedure. It might also bleed. The penis can
appear reddened and swollen during this period. It is best to limit the amount that your child
touches for the first two-three days. Your child will not be allowed to bathe for the first few days
following circumcision. However, it could take up to 10 working days before they can resume
normal activities. In the meantime, you can take care of your baby and promote healing.
Complications
Bleeding can be a problem with circumcision for infants. There have been reports that there were
granulomas and keloid formation along the cut edge. For infants who have conditions that
increase the chance of abnormal healing, circumcision should be avoided. These complications
aren’t fatal, but a small number have been reported. Continue reading to learn more about the
complications of infant circumcision and how they are treated.
Newborns who had undergone circumcision have been infected. This is a rare problem, but it
should be noted. The appearance of scabs after circumcision is often mistaken for infection.
Plastibell’s device may also be responsible for the infection. It contains a foreign object that
could cause an infection. Infections in newborns could lead to more serious conditions such as
sepsis and meningitis.
Plastibell method
The Plastibell method of circumcision for infant’s penis has many advantages. It removes the
majority the male foreskin. The incision will be red and tender immediately after the procedure. A
scab will form over the incision line, which will fall off within seven to 10 days. Plastibell will
usually fall off by itself within 14-days. It is possible to cause bleeding by pulling it off. Wound
infection is the most common problem with circumcision. It occurs in less than 1 out of 200
circumcisions.
Plastibell is a safe method to circumcise infants’ penis. A nurse performing the procedure has an
eight-fold greater risk of complications than a surgeon. The nursing assistant who performs this
procedure will not be able to correctly place a hemostatic staple. Incorrectly placed hemostatic
sutures can lead to bleeding and infection. Glans injury can also be caused by incorrectly
performed circumcisions.
Common anatomic anomalies
A review of ten prospective and retroactive studies of newborn circumcisions in sub-Saharan
Africa showed that only about one-fourth had anatomic abnormalities. These findings are likely
to have been underreported, even though the actual number is less than two per 1,000 males.
One study reported a 0.6% incidence of complications while four others reported rates ranging
from 2% to 4%. Only three babies had to be circumcised again after an incorrect procedure.
After circumcision, some boys can develop meatal stasis. This condition is marked by a
narrowed meatal diameter (less then five French), and it is considered a medical abnormality.
The condition will usually resolve itself and not be clinically relevant. It may, however, persist into
adolescence and early adulthood.
Ethics of circumcision
There are many ethical issues that must be considered when non-therapeutic male circumcision
is performed on infants. This procedure causes unnecessary injury and violates an infant’s
rights. Non-therapeutic male contraception violates a childâ€TMs bodily integrity rights and a
childâ€TMs right for an open future. A circumcision on an infant should only be performed if it is
really necessary and is necessary to the child’s safety.
While the vast majority of medical practitioners have the best interests of their patients at heart,
many physicians have shifted their approach to circumcision as a health procedure. Although a
majority of doctors still believe circumcision is beneficial, more doctors are now realizing that it
can be dangerous. Moreover, many physicians now prefer not to circumcise infants and perform
the procedure only when parents request it. Many parents still choose circumcision because
they believe it to be medically beneficial, recommended or normal.
Pain relievers
Topical lidocaine prilocaine, EMLA (eugenol), or dorsal penile nervous block are some of the
options for pain relief during newborn circumcision. All three methods are effective, but none of
them completely eliminate the pain response. The most effective method is the one that uses
DPNB. It should be noted, however, that the study results will likely have a small impact
because all of the participants were newborns.
To ease the pain, sugar tablets can be given to infants. To ease discomfort after circumcision,
sugar tablets and a pacifier can be given. A padded chair with back support is recommended.
These methods can also reduce the time it takes to complete the procedure. Acetaminophen
may offer better pain relief. It is also possible to relieve pain after circumcision with a padded
chair.