Circumcision

A circumcision is a procedure which surgically removes the foreskin from a boy's penis.  This procedure is performed in the office and under a local anesthetic.  Circumcisions are a safe and simple procedure to perform with a quick recovery.  It is done for newborns up to 6 weeks of age but exceptions are made with a premature baby.  The procedure usually take 10 minutes to complete.

Since circumcision is not medically necessary, it is not covered by the BC Medical Services Plan so you will be required to pay for the procedure.  The receptionist will issue a receipt so that you may claim the cost as a medical expense on your income tax or to submit to your private insurance if they cover the procedure.

Benefits

Benefits of a circumcision include the following:

- a lower risk of getting sexually transmitted infections including HIV

- prevention of phimosis, which is a condition where the foreskin cannot be retracted, causing tears and infections

- a lower risk of urinary tract infections (risk goes from 1/100 to 1/1000)

- a lower risk of penile cancer, although this cancer is very rare

Risks

As with all surgical procedures, there is risk involved including:

- small risk of excess bleeding that is very rare when using the plastibell procedure

- possibility of scar tissue and taking off too little or too much foreskin

- rare risk of meatal stenosis

- occasionally the penis can become "buried" inside fatty tissue which makes the skin heal too tightly.  the skin will need to be released, but this is a minor surgery only