Medical Questions » Male Problems Questions » Question No. 602
| Question: | My doctor says my son should not have a circumcision as it is an unnecessary operation. What men will require circumcision as an adult? |
| Answer: | As a general rule, very few men require circumcision. If a recurrent infection occurs under the foreskin it may need to be removed. Some children have ballooning of the foreskin when they pass urine, and this requires circumcision too. Rarely, the foreskin may retract over the head of the penis and form a tight band. This requires urgent surgery to remove the constriction.
There is no justification for routine circumcision of the newborn, as there are significant risks associated with this procedure, and it is not appropriate for the prevention of infection. Good hygiene is all that is required. Remember that a boy' s foreskin may not fully retract until puberty, and it should never be forced back for cleaning.
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