What is Circumcision-?
Surgery that removes the foreskin (the loose tissue) covering the glans of the penis. Circumcision may be performed for religious or cultural reasons, or health reasons. Newborn circumcision diminishes the risk for cancer of the penis and lowers the risk for cancer of the cervix in sexual partners. It also decreases the risk of urinary tract infections and lowers the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including especially HIV.
The Latin "circum-" means around (or about). Circumcision is, literally, a cutting around. Circumcision dates back to prehistoric times. It is one of the oldest surgical operations known to have been performed by people.
When is circumcision done?
Circumcision is usually performed on the first or second day after birth. (Among the Jewish population, circumcision is performed on the eighth day.) The procedure becomes more complicated and riskier in older babies, children, and men.
How is circumcision done?
During a circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis (glans), and the excess foreskin is clipped off. If done in the newborn period, the procedure takes about five to 10 minutes. Adult circumcision takes about one hour. The circumcision generally heals in five to seven days.
Is circumcision necessary?
The use of circumcision for medical or health reasons is an issue that continues to be debated. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend routine circumcision for newborn males stating the evidence was not significant enough to prove the operation's benefit. The procedure may be recommended in older boys and men to treat phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) or to treat an infection of the penis.
Parents should talk with their doctor about the benefits and risks of the procedure before making a decision regarding circumcision of a male child. Other factors, such as your culture, religion, and personal preference, will also be involved in your decision.
What are the benefits of circumcision?
There is some evidence that circumcision has health benefits, including:
A decreased risk of urinary tract infections.
A reduced risk of sexually transmitted diseases in men.
Protection against penile cancer and a reduced risk of cervical cancer in female sex partners.
Prevention of balanitis (inflammation of the glans) and balanoposthitis (inflammation of the glans and foreskin).
Prevention of phimosis (the inability to retract the foreskin) and paraphimosis (the inability to return the foreskin to its original location).
Circumcision also makes it easier to keep the end of the penis clean.
What are the risks of circumcision?
Like any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with circumcision. However, this risk is low. Problems associated with circumcision include:
Pain
Risk of bleeding and infection at the site of the circumcision
Irritation of the glans
Increased risk of meatitis (inflammation of the opening of the penis)
Risk of injury to the penis
New Research- Circumcision Benefits More Than Risks, AAP
Male circumcision benefits are greater than the risks, says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) after carrying out a comprehensive review of available scientific evidence. However, the Academy emphasizes that it does not consider the benefits are enough to advise parents to have their newborn male babies circumcised; this should be a parental decision based on their cultural, ethical and religious beliefs. The AAP added that circumcision should be covered by insurance.
This is a change in the AAPs stance of circumcision.
The AAPs policy statement and technical report is published in the September issue of Pediatrics. These statements represent an update on the policies of 1999 and 2005. Over the last 24 months, a growing number of studies and reports have been published which show evidence of the benefits of male circumcision. In July 2012, the Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention said that voluntary medical male circumcision is one of the most effective weapons today against the spread of HIV infection. It urges countries where HIV infection rates are high, such as many in Africa, to make sure males have access to professional circumcision procedures. Many people wonder why circumcision is recommended to stop the spread of HIV infection if circumcision rates in Western Europe are much lower than in the USA, but American HIV infection rates are much higher, and circumcision rates in Africa are also very high, but HIV infection rates are the highest in the world.
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| Many people wonder why circumcision is recommended to stop the spread of HIV infection if circumcision rates in Western Europe are much lower than in the USA, but American HIV infection rates are much higher, and circumcision rates in Africa are also very high, but HIV infection rates are the highest in the world |
Since 2005, the AAP says that recent scientific evidence shows compellingly what the benefits of circumcision are. The AAP's Taskforce on Circumcision explained in Pediatrics that after reviewing recent studies, the health benefits of circumcision include a lower risk of acquiring or developing:
Syphilis
Genital herpes
HIV
Human papilloma vírus
Penile cancer
Urinary tract infection during the first 12 months of an infant's life
Reduces the risk of cervical cancer in men's sexual partners
A report published by the American Cancer Society demonstrated that males who are circumcised have a 15% lower risk of developing prostate cancer if the procedure is carried out before their first sexual intercourse.
Susan Blank, MD, FAAP, chair of the AAPs Taskforce on Circumcision that wrote the report, said, Ultimately, this is a decision that parents will have to make. Parents are entitled to medically accurate and non-biased information about circumcision, and they should weigh this medical information in the context of their own religious, ethical and cultural beliefs.
Individual families may not find that the medical benefits, on their own, outweigh other considerations, the Task Force wrote. According to available medical data today, circumcision is safest when performed during the first twelve months of a baby's life. The AAP advices parents who choose to have their male baby circumcised to make sure the procedure is carried out by trained health care professionals who use sterile techniques and proper pain management.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says it endorses the new AAP recommendations regarding male circumcision. Dr. Sabrina Craigo, on behalf of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said,"This information will be helpful for obstetricians who are often the medical providers who counsel parents about circumcision. We support the idea that parents choosing circumcision should have access to the procedure.
When deciding on whether or not to have your baby boy circumcised, you should discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure thoroughly with the child's doctor, the AAP advices. Parents should also discuss with the doctor who will carry out the procedure. Dr. Blank said it is a good idea to talk about this while the mother is still pregnant, so that the decision can be made slowly.
On August 24th, researchers at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine reported that US infant male circumcision rates have dropped. They added that this would add an extra $4.4 billion to the USA's avoidable health care costs. Their report was published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Possible complications associated with circumcision
Bleeding after or during the infection
Infection after the procedure
The foreskin may be cut too short
The foreskin may be cut too long
The foreskin that remains behind may reattach to the end of the penis. In such cases minor surgery is required
Urinary retention
Inclusion cyst
Phimosis - the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back to reveal the glans
(Source- Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine)
