Circumcision is a surgical procedure that removes part or all of the foreskin from the penis, resulting in a scar just below the head. The procedure is controversial, with some arguing it reduces the risk of penile cancer and HIV, while others say the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Circumcision is prevalent in some parts of the world, including the US, but rare in others. The American Medical Association does not recommend circumcision for newborns except for religious reasons.
A circumcision scar results from a common surgical procedure performed in which part or all of the foreskin is removed from the penis. The scar is located just below the head of the penis, and is characterized by a slightly dark ring. The type of procedure used determines the appearance of the scar, although in many cases the circumcision scar fades and is barely noticeable.
Circumcisions on newborns are performed with specialized equipment known as a Plastibell, a Gomco clamp or Mogen clamp, along with a retainer. Healing usually takes four to six days. Adult circumcisions are typically performed without such instruments, and healing time can take up to six weeks. Depending on the procedure used, the circumcision scar may appear noticeable or patchy, or it may fade over time.
In the United States, circumcision is typically performed on newborn babies and is not part of a religious ceremony as it is in Jewish and Islamic cultures. Considered mostly cosmetic surgery, circumcision has no effect on the male reproductive system. There is some controversy surrounding circumcision, and many have questioned its medical necessity. The American Medical Association (AMA) issued a report in 1999 in which it does not recommend newborn circumcision except for religious or ritual reasons.
The controversy surrounding circumcision generally involves whether or not the procedure is medically necessary. One opinion is that circumcision reduces the chances of penile cancer, HIV and promotes good hygiene. Other opinions argue that this is not the case and the benefits of circumcision do not outweigh the risk of infection of the circumcision scar, damage of the urethra or excessive bleeding.
Circumcision is most prevalent in the Muslim world, parts of Southeast Asia, Africa, the United States, the Philippines, Israel, and South Korea. It is relatively rare in Europe, Latin America, parts of southern Africa, and much of Asia. The World Health Organization estimates that 30-33% of males globally are circumcised. The prevalence of circumcision in the United States is estimated at 79%, although the percentages appear to vary by region.
Many feel that the loss of the foreskin and the resulting circumcision scar are disfiguring, unnecessary, and psychologically harmful. Studies are mixed, but the American Academy of Pediatrics has released a statement that circumcision is not the answer to optimal penile hygiene, and the AMA says that although circumcision can help prevent phimosis, in which the foreskin cannot be retracted from the head of the penis, it should not be considered the only way to prevent penile cancer, a rare disease.
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