45 lines
2.1 KiB
Plaintext
45 lines
2.1 KiB
Plaintext
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CIRCUMCISION
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Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis. Despite the
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lack of a medical indication for this operation in healthy newborn males with
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normal penile and foreskin anatomy, it is often requested and performed for
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personal or cultural reasons. Although it has been observed that circumcised
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men rarely develop cancer of the penis, and that their sexual partners may be
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less likely to develop cancer of the cervix, a cause-and-effect relationship
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has not been established.
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The most common medical indication for circumcision at any age is phimosis, a
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narrowing of the foreskin over the end of the penis such that it cannot be
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pulled back. Infection, swelling, scarring and in extreme cases, obstruction
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to urination may result. When there is severe pain or infection, a tension-
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releasing incision may be done as an emergency, with circumcision reserved for
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a later date.
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Procedure
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Adults -- A urologist (specialist in surgery of the urinary tract) performs
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this operation right in the office. After the penis is washed with an
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antiseptic, the foreskin is injected with a numbing local anesthetic. The
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excess skin is removed by a circumferential incision at the corona, the
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ring-like prominence at the base of the glans. Bleeding is controlled by
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electrocautery (electrical burning), and dissolvable stitches are placed around
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the corona. Despite how it sounds, the surgery is not very painful and only
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takes about fifteen minutes. Occasionally, short-term hospitalization and
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general anesthesia may be required.
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Newborns -- Circumcision may be done within 24-48 hours of birth. Local or
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regional (an injection at the base of the penis that numbs the entire organ)
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anesthesia may be used. The surgery is facilitated by employing a Yellin
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clamp, a metal, ringed instrument that fits over penis around the corona. No
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stitches are necessary.
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Complications
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Bleeding, infection and loss of skin occur rarely.
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Postoperative Care
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Sexual activity should be avoided until healing is complete-- about seven to
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ten days.
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