All boys are born with foreskin, which serves to cover the penis and glans, providing protection. Many parents also ask about the best time for circumcision. In fact, having foreskin does not necessarily require treatment or circumcision, and it mainly depends on the presence of the following symptoms: problems with urination, inflammation, urethritis, balanitis, or chronic urinary obstruction.
Newborn foreskin
All boys are born with foreskin, which functions to cover the penis and glans, providing protection.
The best age for circumcision?
Many parents also ask when is the most appropriate time for their son to have a circumcision. In fact, having a foreskin doesn't necessarily mean it needs to be treated or surgically removed. It mainly depends on whether there are the following symptoms:
- Peeing problems
- Inflammation
- Urethritis
- Balanitis
- Chronic urinary obstruction
Many parents and friends also ask if it is advisable to perform circumcision surgery on young children at birth. Circumcision surgery performed at birth is called newborn circumcision. It is a circumcision procedure performed shortly after they are born, usually within a few days or a month. The main purpose is to cut off excess foreskin, and there are many different methods. The most common method involves using a clamp or ring.
Benefits of neonatal circumcision
- A general anaesthetic is not needed; a local anaesthetic is sufficient for it to be carried out in the ward.
- The procedure is relatively simple, it only takes 10-15 minutes to complete the surgery.
- After the operation, you just need to wait for the foreskin ring or foreskin stapler to fall off on its own. Generally, it will fall off naturally within five to seven days.
- Wounds will heal naturally. There is no need for extra stitches to close the wound. Newborns also heal relatively quickly.
Newborn circumcision is typically performed when parents choose to have it done for religious, cultural, or personal reasons. In some medical situations, it may be recommended to treat or prevent certain conditions, such as phimosis (a foreskin that is too tight to retract) or recurrent urinary tract infections, although these are less common reasons for routine newborn circumcision.
Often it is done due to parental requests or religious beliefs. This procedure is very common in Western countries. However, we must also remind everyone that in some situations, newborn circumcision is not suitable. For example, in cases of hypospadias or buried penis, the remaining foreskin needs to be used for subsequent reconstructive surgery. In these cases, newborn circumcision is not appropriate.
Regarding the complexity of the surgery, it is a specialised procedure because newborn babies' penises are also relatively short, so the precision of the incision needs to be very accurate. We would recommend finding a suitable surgeon, such as a paediatric surgeon, to perform newborn circumcision surgery.
After a newborn circumcision, what should be paid attention to?
Taking care of it is also quite simple. You can shower as normal, but do be mindful of your penis and the wound for any abnormalities, such as swelling or redness, which are signs of more serious inflammation. You also need to be aware of whether the foreskin ring will come off naturally. Generally, it's expected to fall off in about seven days. If the foreskin ring doesn't loosen and detach on its own after two weeks, you'll need to seek medical advice.
