Triple excision method: One-Opening and Two-Trimmings Method for Circumcision
(A New Recommendable Simple, Cosmetic, and Safe Technique for Circumcision)
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Circumcision Information for Parents
Circumcision is a surgical procedure in which the skin covering the end of the penis is removed. Circumcision is usually performed by a doctor in the first few days of life. An infant must be stable and healthy to safely be circumcised.
Scientific studies show some medical benefits of circumcision. However, these benefits are not sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend that all infant boys be circumcised. Parents may want their sons circumcised for religious, social and cultural reasons. Since circumcision is not essential to a child¡¯s health, parents should choose what is best for their child by looking at the benefits and risks.
Many parents choose to have their sons circumcised because "all the other men in the family were circumcised" or because they do not want their sons to feel "different." Others feel that circumcision is unnecessary and choose not to have it done. Some groups, such as followers of the Jewish and Islamic faiths, practice circumcision for religious and cultural reasons. Since circumcision may be more risky if done later in life, parents may want to decide before or soon after their son is born if they want their son circumcised.
As noted above, research studies suggest that there may be some medical benefits to circumcision. These include the following:
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A lower risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). A circumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 1,000 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life; an uncircumcised infant boy has about a 1 in 100 chance of developing a UTI in the first year of life.
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A lower risk of getting cancer of the penis. However, this type of cancer is very rare in both circumcised and uncircumcised males.
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A slightly lower risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, the AIDS virus.
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Prevention of foreskin infections.
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Prevention of phimosis, a condition in uncircumcised males that makes foreskin retraction impossible.
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Easier genital hygiene.
Just as there are reasons parents may choose circumcision, they are reasons why parents may choose NOT to have their son circumcised:
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Possible risks. As with any surgery, circumcision has some risks. Complications from circumcision are rare and usually minor. They may include bleeding, infection, cutting the foreskin too short or too long, and improper healing.
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The belief that the foreskin is necessary to protect the tip of the penis. When removed, the tip of the penis may become irritated and cause the opening of the penis to become too small. Rarely, this can cause urination problems that may need to be surgically corrected.
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Some people believe that circumcision makes the tip of the penis less sensitive, causing a decrease in sexual pleasure later in life. This has not been proven by any medical or psychological study.
Almost all uncircumcised boys can be taught proper hygiene that can lower their chances of getting infections, cancer of the penis, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Circumcision: Frequently Asked Questions
Some parents wonder whether circumcision is a necessary procedure for their child. While scientific studies show some medical benefits of circumcision, these benefits are not sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to recommend that all infant boys be circumcised. However, parents may want their sons circumcised for religious, social and cultural reasons. Parents considering circumcision for their sons often have similar questions about this procedure. Here are a few of the more common concerns parents may have.
Is Circumcision Painful?
When done without pain medicine, circumcision is painful. There are pain medicines available that are safe and effective. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that they be used to reduce pain from circumcision. Local anesthetics can be injected into the penis to lower pain and stress in infants. There are also topical creams that can help. Talk to your pediatrician about which pain medicine is best for your son. Problems with using pain medicine are rare and usually not serious.
What Should I Expect for my Son After Circumcision?
After the circumcision, the tip of the penis may seem raw or yellowish. If there is a bandage, it should be changed with each diapering to reduce the risk of the penis becoming infected. Petroleum jelly should be used to keep the bandage from sticking. Sometimes a plastic ring is used instead of a bandage. The plastic ring that is left on the tip of the penis usually drops off within five to eight days. It takes about seven to 10 days for the penis to fully heal after circumcision.
Are There Any Problems That Can Happen After Circumcision?
Problems after a circumcision are very rare. However, call your pediatrician right away if
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Your baby does not urinate normally within six to eight hours after the circumcision.
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There is persistent bleeding.
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There is redness around the tip of the penis that gets worse after three to five days.
It is normal to have a little yellow discharge or coating around the head of the penis, but this should not last longer than a week. See your pediatrician if you notice any signs of infection such as redness, swelling or foul-smelling drainage.
What if I Choose Not to Have my Son Circumcised?
If you choose not to have your son circumcised, talk to your pediatrician about how to keep your son's penis clean. When your son is old enough, he can learn how to keep his penis clean just as he will learn to keep other parts of his body clean.
The foreskin usually does not fully retract for several years and should never be forced. The uncircumcised penis is easy to keep clean by gently washing the genital area while bathing. You do not need to do any special cleansing, such as with cotton swabs or antiseptics.
Later, when the foreskin fully retracts, boys should be taught how to wash underneath the foreskin every day. Teach your son to clean his foreskin by:
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Gently pulling it back away from the head of the penis
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Rinsing the head of the penis and inside fold of the foreskin with soap and warm water
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Pulling the foreskin back over the head of the penis
Circumcision Policy Statement
ETHICAL ISSUES
The practice of medicine has long respected an adult's right to self-determination in health care decision-making. This principle has been operationalized through the doctrine of informed consent. The process of informed consent obligates the physician to explain any procedure or treatment and to enumerate the risks, benefits, and alternatives for the patient to make an informed choice. For infants and young children who lack the capacity to decide for themselves, a surrogate, generally a parent, must make such choices.118
Parents and physicians each have an ethical duty to the child to attempt to secure the child's best interest and well-being.119 However, it is often uncertain as to what is in the best interest of any individual patient. In cases such as the decision to perform a circumcision in the neonatal period when there are potential benefits and risks and the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, it should be the parents who determine what is in the best interest of the child. In the pluralistic society of the United States in which parents are afforded wide authority for determining what constitutes appropriate child-rearing and child welfare, it is legitimate for the parents to take into account cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, in addition to medical factors, when making this choice.119
Physicians counseling families concerning this decision should assist the parents by explaining the potential benefits and risks and by ensuring that they understand that circumcision is an elective procedure. Parents should not be coerced by medical professionals to make this choice.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Existing scientific evidence demonstrates potential medical benefits of newborn male circumcision; however, these data are not sufficient to recommend routine neonatal circumcision. In the case of circumcision, in which there are potential benefits and risks, yet the procedure is not essential to the child's current well-being, parents should determine what is in the best interest of the child. To make an informed choice, parents of all male infants should be given accurate and unbiased information and be provided the opportunity to discuss this decision. It is legitimate for parents to take into account cultural, religious, and ethnic traditions, in addition to the medical factors, when making this decision. Analgesia is safe and effective in reducing the procedural pain associated with circumcision; therefore, if a decision for circumcision is made, procedural analgesia should be provided. If circumcision is performed in the newborn period, it should only be done on infants who are stable and healthy.
TASK FORCE ON CIRCUMCISION 1998-1999
Carole M. Lannon, MD, MPH, Chairperson
Ann Geryl Doll Bailey, MD
Alan R. Fleischman, MD
George W. Kaplan, MD
Craig T. Shoemaker, MD
Jack T. Swanson, MD
Donald Coustan, MD
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
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Howard CR, Howard FM, Weitzman ML. Acetaminophen analgesia in neonatal circumcision: the effect on pain. Pediatrics. 1994;93:641-646
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Wiswell TE, Roscelli JD. Corroborative evidence for the decreased incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised male infants. Pediatrics. 1986;78:96-99
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Craig JC, Knight JF, Sureshkumar P, et al. Effect of circumcision on incidence of urinary tract infection in preschool boys. J Pediatr. 1996;128:23-27
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Pediatrics Volume 103, Number 3 March 1999, pp 686-693
To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise ... Many Parents Are Asking the Question
Column by Medem's Editor-in-Chief Nancy W. Dickey, M.D.
Circumcision has become a hot topic for expecting parents in the United States. What was once considered a routine medical procedure for all infant boys in this country is being questioned. Over the last five decades, recommendations from the medical community, as well as practice trends, have been all over the map. Sentiments have been on both ends of the extreme, swinging from a push in the '50s for all boys to be circumcised to an outcry in the '70s against what was perceived as an unnatural procedure and an emphasis on good hygiene rather than a surgical procedure.
Reasons Parents Choose to Circumcise
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Religious ritual
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Belief that circumcision makes hygiene easier
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Potential health benefits
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Because other men in the family are circumcised
Reasons Parents Choose Not to Circumcise
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Absence of medical reason for procedure
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Risks of surgical procedure/Pain
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Want for the child to be intact as he was born
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Personal belief that procedure is a form of genital mutilation
Until the last 50 years, there was not really any scientific evidence to defend or dispute the practice. In the past few decades a good deal of research has been done, and many earlier studies have been re-evaluated. The end result: There may be some health benefits from circumcision, but there are also known risks. Do the potential benefits outweigh the risks? Not necessarily. Research is not conclusive enough to make routine circumcision a medical recommendation of any medical society in the United States.
The bottom line; Circumcision is an elective procedure. While there are religious and social reasons that parents may decide to have their child circumcised, there are very few overwhelming medical reasons that would indicate a circumcision should be done. Approximately 60 percent of newborns are circumcised in this country, while circumcision is uncommon in Asia, South America, Central America and most of Europe.
Medical Considerations
The belief that circumcisions could reduce penile cancer, urinary tract infection and sexually transmitted diseases has been the basis of many people's decision to circumcise. The following is a summary of where the research stands on these topics today:
Urinary Tract Infections ? Urinary tract infections seem to be slightly less common in circumcised boys. However, rates of urinary tract infection are low in both groups and are easily treated.
Penile Cancer ? Penile cancer is extremely rare, affecting 0.9 to 1 males in every 100,000 in the United States. There appears to be a slightly lower rate of penile cancer in circumcised male. However, risk factors such as genital warts, HPV, multiple sex partners and cigarette smoking seem to play a much larger role in causing penile cancer than circumcision status.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases ? Behavioral factors have been found to be far more important than circumcision status when it comes to the risk of STD infection.
Questions to Ask Your Doctor if You Decide to Circumcise Your Son:
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Who will be performing the procedure?
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Do you use anesthesia. If not, why? If so, what kind? What are the potential side effects of the anesthesia?
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How many circumcisions have you preformed? What has the complication rate been?
If your child is diagnosed with hypospadias, a somewhat common birth defect where the urinary tract opening is mispositioned along the underside of the penis rather than at its tip, you will need to discuss treatment options with the doctor before circumcision, as some repairs of this condition use the extra foreskin to repair the defect.
Many parents want to know how much pain circumcision causes. It certainly would take more than a shot of whiskey for a grown man to make it through, so as you can imagine, without pain medication, circumcision does hurt in infancy, too. The pain causes temporary physiological changes such as an increased heart rate and raised blood pressure. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that some form of pain medication be used for all circumcisions. A local anesthetic can be injected into the penis (a dorsal penile nerve block or subcutaneous ring block) or a topical cream can be applied. Complications with pain medicines are usually rare and not serious, but be sure you discuss possible side effects with your child's doctor before the procedure.
Circumcision History
Circumcision is hardly a new idea. Foreskins have been removed for more than 6,000 years. In the United States, circumcision first began to be used as a medical procedure in the 19th century. Several diseases and conditions existed for which there was not a known cause, and a misunderstanding of sexuality led doctors to believe that masturbation may be the problem and circumcision the cure. Interestingly, circumcision also marked a social class-distinction. As cleanliness became associated with wealth, circumcision rates rose. By the previous turn of the century, approximately 25 percent of the American population was circumcised.
Military circumcisions in WWI and WWII brought the procedure to its full popularity in the United States. Research during the 40s and 50s, which has since been questioned, concluded that circumcision reduced the risk of cancer of the penis as well as cancer of the cervix in the wives of circumcised men. This was the driving factor in the recommendation that virtually every boy be circumcised. Because of cost and complications associated with circumcision, this research was re-examined, and it was concluded that the results had much more to do with hygiene than with circumcision. Soldiers in a foxhole didn't always have the opportunity to clean themselves.
During the '70s, the medical community began to re-examine whether circumcision should be routine. It is during this decade that legal documentation became part of the process and parental consent was needed for a circumcision to be preformed. Which brings us to today, where circumcision is a parent's decision ... not a doctor's.
Circumcision Checklist
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Talk about whether or not you want to circumcise your son before you deliver. Make your wishes clear to your doctor.
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Understand the risks. As with any surgical procedure, there are possible risks. The most common are pain, bleeding, infection and cosmetic issues (appearance of circumcised penis is irregular, or too much or too little foreskin is taken). Although uncommon, the risk of major complications also exists. These include substantial blood loss, serious infection, amputation of the tip of the penis, hospitalization and, in very rare cases, death.
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Determine what type of pain relief will be provided. Be sure some form of pain medication will be used during the procedure.
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If you decide to have your child circumcised, you will have to sign a consent form. Look for this at check in. Make sure you understand what you are signing and that all of your questions have been answered before your name appears on the dotted line.
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Some insurance companies don't pay for circumcision because it is considered an elective procedure. Check with your insurance plan about specific coverage.
Whatever your decision, the importance lies in just that ... that it is your decision. There is no hospital policy or law that requires boys to be circumcised. Having access to unbiased information, which does not overrepresent the benefits or the risks, is important. Do research, examine your beliefs, discuss them with the other parent, and be ready with a decision if the stork happens to bring you a bundle wrapped in blue.
Nancy W. Dickey, M.D., is a recognized leader in medicine. She is a past president of the American Medical Association and served on the board of the Archives of Family Medicine, a medical journal published by the AMA. She is President and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs at the Texas A&M University Medical School System Health Science Center in Bryan, Texas, where she maintains an active practice as a board certified family physician
American Academy of Pediatrics | CR °í±Þ Æ÷°æ¼ö¼ú 2005.08.03 11:59
In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics states, "Physicians counseling families concerning this decision should assist the parents by explaining the potential benefits and risks and by ensuring that they understand that circumcision is an elective procedure. Parents should not be coerced by medical professionals to make this choice."
In the United Kingdom, the British Medical Association states, "The BMA strongly recommends that either the written consent of BOTH parents, or of the person with parental responsibility be obtained for circumcision. Parents must be aware of the nature and implications of the procedure, and the risks involved."
In Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society states, "When parents are making a decision about circumcision, they should be advised of the present state of medical knowledge about its benefits and harms."
In Australia, the Australasian Association of Pediatric Surgeons states, "Parents requesting circumcision of their male children should have the complications both general and local, explained to them. These complications are usually minor but can be severe and may result in the death of the child."
Informed Consent for Circumcision Form
[The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists emphasize that male neonatal circumcision is an elective surgical procedure that is to be carried out only at the request of the parents. An elective surgical procedure is one that is not necessary for good health. Non-circumcision is a reasonable and healthy alternative to circumcision.]
Male circumcision is a surgical procedure where 25-50% of the skin of the penis is removed. It is important that you understand the well-established known risks of the surgical procedure as well as the possible, but unproven, benefits.
Known Risks
The following inherent risks are iatrogenic (doctor caused), and result directly from neonatal circumcision surgery. Significant complications from neonatal circumcision range from 2% to 10%.
1
Hemorrhage (bleeding): Serious hemorrhage occurs in about 2% of infants, resulting in shock and sometimes death. While death is a rare complication of circumcision, it does occur. Boys with unrecognized bleeding disorders are at risk for serious hemorrhage.
2
Infections: Localized or systemic infections include bacteremia, septicemia, meningitis, osteomyelitis, lung abscess, diphtheria, tuberculosis, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome, gangrene of the penis and scrotum, scrotal abscess, impetigo, necrotizing fascitis of the abdominal wall, tetanus and necrosis of the perineum. A realistic infection rate is probably as high as 10%. Serious infections can cause irreparable and lifelong harm.
3
Urinary retention: Swelling from the trauma of the surgery, pain associated with attempts at urination, and sometimes the Plastibell device (if used) can cause the infant to retain urine, leading, at times, to acute obstructive uropathy, when the bladder distends to the point of rupture.
4
Laceration of penile skin: Results in varying degrees of skin tone variance.
5
Excessive penile skin loss: Occurs when so much of the prepuce is drawn forward that the entire penile skin sheath is removed. From puberty on, penile bowing (curvature) and pain occurs at the time of erection. With erection, pubic hair can be pulled forward onto the penile shaft, and bleeding during sex can occur from shaft skin tears. Skin grafts are sometimes required.
6
Beveling deformities of the glans (head of the penis): Varying amounts of the glans are shaved off leaving a scarred, beveled surface and, at times, the entire glans is amputated.
7
Hypospadias: While more frequently a congenital defect, hypospadias can also result from circumcision. When the frenular area (underside of the penis) is drawn too far forward, the crushing bell may injure the urethra at the time the foreskin is removed, resulting in a urethral opening on the underside of the shaft.
8
Epispadias: When one limb of the crushing clamp inadvertently is passed into the urethra and is closed, it crushes the upper portion of the urethra and glans, creating a urethral opening on the dorsum (top) of the glans.
9
Retention of the Plastibell ring: The Plastibell, which normally falls off in 10 days, may get buried under the skin, causing ulceration and/or necrosis. Loss of the glans has also been reported.
10
Chordee (permanent bowing of the penis): While often congenital, this can also result from circumcision. Dense scarring at the frenular area causes penile bowing upon erection and may require plastic surgery to repair.
11
Keloid formation: Prominent scars can occur where the skin-mucous membrane has been incised, crushed or sutured.
12
Lymphedema: Chronic swelling of the glans due to infection or surgical trauma, which can block lymphatic return.
13
Concealed penis: The circumcised penis becomes hidden in the fat pad of the pubic area, requiring surgery to bring the penis out again.
14
Skin bridges and penile adhesions: A common complication consisting of one or more thick areas of scar tissue that form bridges between the coronal edge of the raw glans penis (head) and the raw circumcision wound on the shaft. For some men, these can be quite painful during erection, restricting the free movement of the shaft skin and pulling on the glans.
15
Phimosis of remaining foreskin: When only a segment of the foreskin is removed, the remaining tip sometimes becomes tight and non-retractable, requiring a second surgery.
16
Preputial cysts: Cysts caused by infection or mechanical distortion blocking the sebaceous glands.
17
Skin tags: Can occur at the circumcision line, representing an uneven removal of skin.
18
Loss of part or all of the penis: This can be caused by constricting rings, such as the Plastibell, or by use of an electrocautery device. More frequently, the loss is the result of infection, with the penis becoming increasingly necrotic (dead tissue) until finally the entire organ falls off. The proposed solution in many cases is to raise the child as a girl.
19
Meatitis: Inflammation of the urethral opening from the loss of protective foreskin, which can lead to ulceration and meatal stenosis (narrowing). Many infants and children suffer this after their loss of protective foreskin.
20
Meatal ulceration: Caused by meatitis and/or abrasions from dry diapers and from diapers soiled with urine and feces. Meatal ulceration does not occur in the intact male and occurs in up to 50% of circumcised infants.
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Meatal stenosis: In advanced meatal ulceration, scar tissue can constrict the urethral opening causing urinary obstruction. Meatal stenosis is usually not apparent for several years, occurring in about one-third of all circumcised infants and not at all in intact males.
22
Progressive loss of glans sensitivity: This is the most common complaint of adult circumcised men, whereby some men report stimulated needed to the point of pain to achieve orgasm.
23
Sexual dysfunction: Includes impotence and premature ejaculation.
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Nonspecific urethritis: This venereal disease is more common in circumcised adults.
25
Gastric rupture: Has been reported associated with prolonged crying during circumcision.
26
Glans necrosis: The head of the penis can lose its blood supply and begin to rot from the scarring that follows circumcision.
27
Tachycardia, heart failure and myocardial injury: Have been reported associated with the procedure.
28
Death: Occurs at a rate of 1 in 5,000.
Complications From Anesthesia (if used):
The permanent psychological trauma of having the most sensitive part of a boy's anatomy removed shortly after birth without anesthesia has not been fully investigated.
1
Bleeding: Usually consists of small ecchymoses (bruises) at injection sites at a rate of around 1.2%.
2
Loss of blood supply to the genitals: This has been reported following a dorsal penile nerve block where the wrong local anesthetic was used.
3
Methemoglobinemia
Presumed (But Unproven) Benefits
The American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision in 1975 proclaimed that there is no medical indication for circumcision of the newborn. The Task Force met again in 1989 and concluded that the procedure may have some potential medical benefits. To date, none of these benefits have been conclusively proven. The Task Force met again in 1999 and concluded that the potential medical benefits were so slight that neonatal male circumcision could not be recommended.
[Potential medical benefits are conjectured benefits that have not been proven to actually exist.]
1
Urinary tract infections: A few studies have suggested that boys who are not circumcised may have a 1% chance of developing a urinary tract infection. These studies have all been done either in military or inner-city hospitals and suffer serious methodological flaws. The one study that has not been done in military or inner-city hospitals showed a urinary tract infection rate of 0.12%, which was the same as for boys who were circumcised. The risk of urinary tract infections in Sweden (where none of the boys are circumcised) is 0.5%. There is also some evidence that circumcision may help mask the symptoms of serious urinary tract abnormalities.
2
Penile cancer: There is an assumed association in the United States between not being circumcised and penile cancer, but now it is known that most cases of penile cancer are caused by human papilloma virus, which is acquired through sexual intercourse. In Denmark and Japan (where few boys are circumcised), the rate of penile cancer is the same as the United States. More baby boys die from circumcision than men die of penile cancer.
3
Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin opening): A condition that occurs in less than 1% of boys. Of these, 80% can be successfully treated with steroid cream. The remaining 20% can be treated with plastic surgery that preserves the foreskin.
4
AIDS: Studies out of Africa suggest that HIV infections are more common in men with foreskins. These studies did not account for cultural, economic and religious differences between the two groups of men. Whether this pertains to the United States is debatable. The United States has one of the highest rates of circumcision in the world as well as one of the most rapid increases in HIV infections in the world.
5
Hygiene: A recent study showed no significant difference between the number of penile problems experienced by boys who were or were not circumcised. The boys who were circumcised had more problems early in life, while the boys who were not circumcised had more problems later one. None of the problems encountered in the studied population were serious.
I/We have read and understand the risks involved in circumcising my son. I/We grant consent for the circumcision of my/our son.
First Parent Witness
Second Parent Date
(U. K. only)
Newborns:Care of the Uncircumcised Penis
Guidelines for Parents
American Academy of Pediatrics
At birth, the penis consists of a cylindrical shaft with a rounded end called the glans. The shaft and glans are separated by a groove called the sulcus. The entire penis - shaft and glans - is covered by a continuous layer of skin. The section of the penile skin that covers the glans is called the foreskin or prepuce. The foreskin consists of two layers, the outer foreskin and an inner lining similar to a mucous membrane.
Before birth, the foreskin and glans develop as one tissue. The foreskin is firmly attached - really fused - to the glans. Over time, this fusion of the inner surface of the prepuce with the glans skin begins to separate by shedding the cells from the surface of each layer. Epithelial layers of the glans and the inner foreskin lining are regularly replaced, not only in infancy but throughout life. The discarded cells accumulate as whitish, cheesy ``pearls'' which gradually work their way out via the tip of the foreskin.
Eventually, sometimes as long as 5, 10, or more years after birth, full separation occurs and the foreskin may then be pushed back away from the glans toward the abdomen. This is called foreskin retraction. The foreskin may retract spontaneously with erections which occur normally from birth on and even occur in fetal life. Also, all children ``discover'' their genitals as they become more aware of their bodies and may retract the foreskin themselves. If the foreskin does not seem to retract easily early in life, it is important to realize that this is not abnormal and that it should eventually do so.
Drawing reprinted with permission of Edward Wallerstein, author of Circumcision: An American Health Fallacy. [CIRP note: The drawing is presented only in the older (1984) edition of the pamphlet.]
[The Function of the Foreskin: The glans at birth is delicate and easily irritated by urine and feces. The foreskin shields the glans; with circumcision this protection is lost. In such cases, the glans and especially the urinary opening (meatus) may become irritated or infected, causing ulcers, meatitis (inflammation of the meatus), and meatal stenosis (a narrowing of the urinary opening). Such problems virtually never occur in uncircumcised penises. The foreskin protects the glans throughout life.] [CIRP Note: This important paragraph, and the drawing, were printed in the 1984 edition of this pamphlet; but were removed in the 1990 version!]
Infant Smegma: Skin cells from the glans of the penis and the inner foreskin are shed throughout life. This is especially true in childhood; natural skin shedding serves to separate the foreskin from the glans. Since this shedding takes place in a relatively closed space - with the foreskin covering the glans - the shed skin cells cannot escape in the usual manner. They escape by working their way to the tip of the foreskin. These escaping discarded skin cells constitute infant smegma, which may appear as white ``pearls'' under the skin.
Adult Smegma: Specialized sebaceous glands - Tyson's Glands - which are located on the glans under the foreskin, are largely inactive in childhood. At puberty, Tyson's Glands produce an oily substance, which, when mixed with shed skin cells, constitute adult smegma. Adult smegma serves a protective, lubricating function for the glans.
Foreskin Hygiene: The foreskin is easy to care for. The infant should be bathed or sponged frequently, and all parts should be washed including the genitals. The uncircumcised penis is easy to keep clean. No special care is required! No attempt should be made to forcibly retract the foreskin. No manipulation is necessary. There is no need for special cleansing with Q-tips, irrigation, or antiseptics; soap and water externally will suffice.
Foreskin Retraction: As noted, the foreskin and glans develop as one tissue. Separation will evolve over time. It should not be forced. When will separation occur? Each child is different. Separation may occur before birth; this is rare. It may take a few days, weeks, months, or even years. This is normal. Although many foreskins will retract by age 5, there is no need for concern even after a longer period. [1984 version only: No harm will come in leaving the foreskin alone.] Some boys do not attain full retractability of the foreskin until adolescence.
Hygiene of the Fully Retracted Foreskin: For the first few years, an occasional retraction with cleansing beneath is sufficient.
Penile hygiene will later become a part of a child's total body hygiene, including hair shampooing, cleansing the folds of the ear, and brushing teeth. At puberty, the male should be taught the importance of retracting the foreskin and cleaning beneath during his daily bath.
Summary: Care of the uncircumcised boy is quite easy. ``Leave it alone'' is good advice. External washing and rinsing on a daily basis is all that is required. Do not retract the foreskin in an infant, as it is almost always attached to the glans. Forcing the foreskin back may harm the penis, causing pain, bleeding, and possibly adhesions. The natural separation of the foreskin from the glans may take many years. After puberty, the adult male learns to retract the foreskin and cleanse under it on a daily basis.
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2
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3
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4
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5
Hardner GJ, Bhanalaph T, Murphy GP, Albert DJ, Moore RH. Carcinoma of the penis: analysis of therapy in 100 consecutive
cases. J Urol 1972; 108:428-30.
6
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9
Deeley TJ. Cancer of the cervix uteri - an epidemiological survey. Clin Radiol 1976; 27:43-51.
10
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11
Cook LS, Koutsky LA, Holmes KK. Circumcision and sexually transmitted diseases.Am J Public Health 1994; 84:197-201.
12
Moses S, Plummer FA, Bradley JE, Ndinya-Achola JO, Nagelkerke NJ, Ronald AR. The association between lack of male circumcision and risk for HIV infection: a review of the epidemiological data. Sex Transm Dis 1994; 21:201-10.
13
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14
Pepin J, Quigley M, Todd J, Gaye I, Janneh M, Van Dyck E, Piot P, Whittle H. Association between HIV-2 infection and genital ulcer diseases among male sexually transmitted disease patients in The Gambia. AIDS 1992; 6:489-93.
15
Simonsen JN, Cameron DW, Gakinya MN, Ndinya-Achola JO, D'Costa LJ, Karasira P, Cheang M, Ronald AR, Piot P, Plummer FA. Human immunodeficiency virus infection among men with sexually transmitted diseases. Experience from a center in Africa.N Engl J Med 1988; 319:274-8.
16
Clark S Male circumcision could help protect against HIV infection. Lancet 2000; 356:225.
17
Gerharz EW, Haarmann C. The first cut is the deepest? Medicolegal aspects of male circumcision. BJU Int 2000; 86:332-8.
18
Laumann EO, Masi CM, Zuckerman EW. Circumcision in the United States. Prevalence, prophylactic effects, and sexual practice. JAMA 1997; 277:1052-7.
19
Warren J, Bigelow. The case against circumcision. Br J Sex Med 1994: 6-8 (available in http://www.cirp.org/library/general/warren2).
20
Bigelow J. The joy of uncircumcising! Restore your birthright and maximize your sexual pleasure. Aptos CA: Hourglass bookpublishing, 1992.
21
Wright J. How smegma serves the penis. Sexology 1970; 37:50-53 (available in http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright1/).
22
Kim DS, Lee JY, Pang MG. Male circumcision: a South Korean perspective. BJU Int 1999; 83 Suppl 1:28-33.