How Safe is Male Circumcision
Author: London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Published: 2010-02-18 : (Rev. 2015-08-12)
Synopsis and Key Points:
Neonatal and infant circumcision by trained staff rarely results in problems.
Main Digest
Neonatal and infant circumcision: Safe in the right hands...
How safe is circumcision
A systematic review, published in the open access journal BMC Urology has found that neonatal and infant circumcision by trained staff rarely results in problems. Risks can be higher among older boys, especially when undertaken by untrained providers with inappropriate equipment.
Dr Helen Weiss, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK, studied the medical literature relating to circumcision.
Dr Weiss said, "We identified 52 studies from 21 countries which included sufficient information to estimate frequency of adverse events following neonatal, infant and child circumcision. This forms a systematic review of the published literature on complications associated with the procedure at young ages."
The researchers found that among infants aged less than one year old, the frequency of relatively minor adverse events such as excessive bleeding, swelling and infection was low (median 1.5% for any adverse event) and severe complications were very rare. Circumcisions by medical providers on children aged one year or older tended to be associated with more complications (median 6%), although there were still few serious adverse events. However, more complications, including severe complications, were seen when the procedure was undertaken by inexperienced providers, or with inadequate equipment and supplies.
Dr Weiss said,
"Male circumcision is commonly practiced and will continue to occur for religious, cultural and medical reasons. There is a clear need to improve safety of male circumcision at all ages through improved training or re-training for both traditional and medically trained providers, and to ensure that providers have adequate supplies of necessary equipment and instruments for safe circumcision".
Related Documents
- 1 - Male Prostate Exam: PSA, DRE and PVR Tests : Dr. David Samadi (2015/10/30)
- 2 - Male Health Check Up: Things Men Should Have Checked in Medical Exam : Disabled World (2013/08/21)
- 3 - Circumcision: Good or Bad Debate : Thomas C. Weiss (2015/08/12)
- 4 - Natural Remedies For Prostate Problems : Dr Jenny Tylee (2009/03/21)
- 5 - Lumps Cysts and Swollen Testicles - Signs of Testicular Cancer : Kacy Carr (2009/07/03)
- 6 - Painful Testicles - Varicocele and Scrotum Swelling : Bob Maloney (2009/07/03)
- 7 - Males Who Exercise More are Less Likely to Need to Urinate During the Night : Loyola University Health System (LUHS) (2014/09/03)
Important:
• Disabled World is strictly a news and information website provided for general informational purpose only and does not constitute medical advice. Materials presented are in no way meant to be a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified practitioner, nor should they be construed as such. Any 3rd party offering or advertising on disabled-world.com does not constitute endorsement by Disabled World. Please report outdated or inaccurate information to us.