Adult Circumcision is a common procedure that is performed worldwide for various reasons and is something that is quite prevalent in South African society. Circumcisions are often done for religious purposes, as is the case in Islam and Judaism, wherein infants are circumcised according to religious customs and laws. In South Africa, certain cultures perform circumcisions as a rite of passage and it is seen as something that facilitates the transitioning of a young boy into manhood. In these cases, the procedure is typically performed when an individual is between the ages of 16 and 19. 

When an individual decides to be circumcised as an adult, it is often because of personal preference or because of the possible benefits that circumcision could offer. There are also certain medical conditions that require circumcision as a treatment: balanitis (foreskin swelling), paraphimosis (foreskin does not return to its original position after retraction), balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin), and phimosis (foreskin cannot retract properly). If none of these conditions are present, there would be no medical requirement for circumcision.

The Procedure

An Adult Circumcision is performed by surgically removing the foreskin of a patient’s penis, which is a piece of skin that covers the glans (head) of the penis. A local anaesthetic is administered to the patient, after which the blood flow to the tip of the penis is cut off to reduce the bleeding once the incision is made. The foreskin is then removed and the remaining section of skin is attached to the shaft of the penis, reducing the amount of skin covering the penis and exposing the glans. The procedure generally takes around 20 to 30 minutes and the patient is able to be discharged on the same day as the surgery. When performed in the correct environment and by medical professionals, the procedure itself is very low risk and patients recover within a few weeks if appropriate aftercare is practised.

Patient Aftercare

Patients are able to return to work within a few days, depending on how quickly the wound is healing. They might experience some discomfort in the beginning and patients should refrain from performing strenuous activities for up to four weeks. Sexual activities should be avoided for at least six weeks and care should be taken to keep the wound clean as infection is one of the biggest threats to the procedure. Because of this, doctors will prescribe antibiotics to a patient to prevent an infection from occurring. Patients should also try to avoid trauma to the wound by applying bandages properly and securing the penis to their body.  

 Benefits Of Circumcision

Studies have shown that there are certain benefits associated with having a medical circumcision. It is said to decrease urinary tract infections in infants and reduce the risk of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It reduces the risk of infections to sexual partners and is also believed to reduce the risk of developing penile cancer due to the fact that it increases an individual’s overall genital health and hygiene. 

The best way to ensure that your procedure is a success is by entrusting it to medical professionals. Centurion Day Hospital provides patients with advanced surgical support and well equipped medical facilities to ensure that you have everything you need to make a speedy recovery. Visit our website at http://www.centuriondayhospital.co.za/ to schedule an appointment today!