Circumcision is a safe and common health procedure. Complications are rare, but it is important to understand the potential issues that may arise and what you need to do to look after your baby.
All our circumcisions come with post procedure support and care. If you are concerned about your baby, please contact us.
Use of the plastibell® method makes aftercare very simple. The plastibell® prevents bleeding from the circumcised skin edge and leaves no raw areas. This means that there is no need to have bandages or dressings applied to the penis.
Following the circumcision, normal nappy hygiene is required. The plastibell© is firmly attached to the penis and cannot be knocked off or dislodged with normal cleaning of the penis. There is no need to use antiseptic creams or washes on the area However, standard nappy barrier creams are safe to use following the circumcision as need be.
We recommend applying Vaseline on the tip of the penis every time you do a nappy change for two weeks after the procedure. This is to keep the urethra soft (the hole the urine flows from) and is not needed to be applied on the wound area.
Complications following a circumcision are rare and can often be easily treated. The following outline the most common potential complications that could arise.
Infection
As with any surgical procedure there is a risk that a wound can become infected. Keeping the area clean after surgery will reduce this risk. If you notice any sign of infection, significant inflammation, or swelling of the area, please contact us.
Bleeding
The plastibell© technique is designed to prevent bleeding after the procedure. However, on rare occasions this can still happen. If you notice any sign of active bleeding from the circumcision site, please seek medical advice urgently.
Meatal Stenosis
Meatal stenosis is a condition where the hole at the tip of the penis (called the urethral opening) can narrow after a circumcision. This can lead to difficulty in passing urine and may require treatment with a steroid cream or even surgical dilation. Applying a barrier, such as Vaseline, on the tip of the penis for 2 weeks after circumcision reduces the chance of this issue occurring.
Damage to the penis
While it is very rare, there have been case reports of damage to the penis accidentally occurring during circumcision. Having the procedure undertaken by a doctor familiar with the technique and the use of the plastibell© method reduces this risk.
