Circumcision is surgical removal of the foreskin covering the head of the penis. It treats a tight foreskin (phimosis), a foreskin trapped behind the head (paraphimosis) and recurrent infection between the foreskin and glans, and may be chosen for religious, hygiene or personal reasons. It is usually a short day-care procedure.
- AnaesthesiaLocal, spinal or general (adults); none or local for newborns with Plastibell
- DurationUsually under 1 hour (about 10 minutes in newborns)
- Hospital stayDay care
- Back to routineUsually about 1 week
What is circumcision?
Circumcision may be done in newborns for religious reasons or for medical conditions such as phimosis, recurrent balanoposthitis (infection of the glans and foreskin) or recurrent urinary tract infections. In older boys and adults it is associated with a lower risk of certain infections, including HIV and some other sexually transmitted infections. Men also choose it for comfort, hygiene or appearance.
Standard circumcision is performed with surgical instruments, and a Plastibell (a plastic ring) is used in newborns. Alternatives for a tight foreskin include steroid creams to loosen it and preputioplasty, which widens the foreskin rather than removing it. Sensation of the glans may change after circumcision, so the decision should be considered carefully.
Revision of a previous circumcision can treat uneven or wide scars, stitch marks, uneven or tethered skin, or painful erections from excess skin removal. Scrotal webbing (penoscrotal web), extra skin between the penis and scrotum, can also be corrected under local or general anaesthesia.
Who is circumcision for?
- Tight foreskin (phimosis) that cannot be pulled back
- Foreskin trapped behind the head (paraphimosis)
- Recurrent infection between the foreskin and glans, or recurrent urinary infections
- Religious, cultural or personal reasons
- Not suitable for premature babies, infants with genital abnormalities such as hypospadias, or people with bleeding disorders or infection at the site
How is it done?
- Pre-operative check; written consent (parents consent for children)
- Fasting for at least 6 hours before surgery
- Adults: general, spinal or local anaesthesia; the foreskin is removed, bleeding controlled and skin closed with dissolvable stitches
- Newborns: a Plastibell ring is placed and falls off with the foreskin in 3 to 5 days
- Usually takes under an hour; patients go home the same day
What is recovery like?
- Pain, swelling and discomfort typically ease over 3 to 4 days; full recovery usually about 10 days
- Keep the area dry for 3 days, then clean gently with warm water; wear loose clothing and apply petroleum jelly
- Take about a week off work
- Stitches dissolve in about 3 weeks; avoid intercourse for 4 to 6 weeks
- Babies: change the dressing at each nappy change, with petroleum jelly so it does not stick
What are the risks?
- Bleeding and infection
- Removal of too much or too little foreskin
- Difficulty passing urine
- Uneven scarring
- Rarely, nerve injury with altered penile sensation; seek help for fever, urine difficulty or foul-smelling urine
Why choose Dr. Jithendran?
- Dual training in orthopaedics (MS) and plastic surgery (MCh, DNB), with hand and microsurgery experience from Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore
- Consults at five hospitals across Bengaluru, with 24×7 availability for emergencies
- Clear explanations in English, Tamil, Hindi and Telugu, and time to answer every question
- Strict sterilisation and patient-privacy standards
Frequently asked questions
Why is circumcision done in adults?
Common medical reasons include a tight foreskin that will not pull back (phimosis), a foreskin trapped behind the head (paraphimosis) and repeated infections. Some men choose it for religious, hygiene or personal reasons. Non-surgical options such as steroid cream may be tried first for a tight foreskin.
Is circumcision painful?
It is done under anaesthesia, so you should not feel pain during the procedure. Afterwards, soreness and swelling typically last 3 to 4 days and are managed with pain relief, loose clothing and petroleum jelly.
How long does recovery take?
Most adults go home the same day, take about a week off work and recover fully in about 10 days. Dissolvable stitches disappear in about three weeks. Sexual intercourse should be avoided for 4 to 6 weeks.
Are there alternatives to circumcision for a tight foreskin?
Yes. Steroid creams can loosen a tight foreskin, and preputioplasty is a smaller operation that widens the foreskin without removing it. Your surgeon will advise which option suits your condition.
Can a poorly done circumcision be corrected?
Yes. Revision surgery can improve uneven or wide scars, stitch-track marks, uneven or tethered skin, and problems caused by excess skin removal such as painful erections. Results depend on the amount of skin available.
