How long does it take for a child to recover after circumcision?
It always seems that the child’s foreskin is too long. At what age is it appropriate for a child to get circumcised?
Every summer holiday, “circumcision” inevitably becomes a hot topic. Many parents have a herd mentality about this matter. But not every foreskin that is “out of sight” needs to be cut! So, what type of foreskin needs to be circumcised? At what age is it better to do it?
Abnormal foreskin conditions include the following
1. Foreskin too long
The foreskin is long, covering the glans, but when the penis is erect or the foreskin is pulled down by hand, the glans and urethral opening can be exposed.
2. Phimosis
The foreskin is long and the foreskin opening is too small, so when the penis is erect or the foreskin is pulled down by hand, the glans and urethral opening cannot be exposed.
3. Paraphimosis
When the foreskin is too long and tight, if forcibly pulled back and not promptly repositioned, the foreskin opening constricts like a narrow ring tightly constricting at the corona glandis.
What are the dangers of having foreskin too long or phimosis?
1. Developmental impact: It affects the normal development of the penis and sexual life, and in severe cases can lead to glans malformation.
2. Premature ejaculation: The glans being enveloped by the foreskin and not receiving external stimulation can lead to glans sensitivity, causing premature ejaculation.
3. Susceptibility to infection: Long foreskin is prone to bacteria breeding, leading to smegma formation, which can cause balanitis, glans inflammation, or urinary tract infections.
4. Impact on fertility: Inflammation can lead to a decrease in sperm motility and quality, causing infertility.
What type of foreskin requires circumcision?
1. Pathological phimosis
The foreskin is long and the foreskin opening is too small, so when the penis is erect or the foreskin is pulled down by hand, the glans and urethral opening cannot be exposed.
2. Recurrent paraphimosis
When the foreskin is too long and tight, if forcibly pulled back and not promptly repositioned, the foreskin opening constricts like a narrow ring tightly constricting at the corona glandis.
3. Repeated urinary tract infections
The foreskin is long, covering the glans, and there are recurrent symptoms of foreskin redness, swelling, pus discharge, and even urinary frequency and pain.
4. Difficulty urinating
The foreskin opening is narrow, and during urination, the foreskin bulges like a “water bubble,” causing poor urination or difficulty urinating, which could affect the bladder and kidney function in the long term.
At what age is it best to undergo surgery?
1. Adults
For adults with pathological phimosis, surgery is necessary. For simply having a long foreskin, as long as one desires it, surgery can be done anytime.
2. Children
For children, it is generally recommended to have circumcision after the age of 6. School-age children have a certain level of self-control and can generally cooperate with local anesthesia and the surgeon.
However, regardless of adults or children, if there are recurring balanitis, urinary tract infections, or scarring at the foreskin opening, there is no age limit, and surgery should be done as soon as possible.
Which season is more suitable for surgery?
Circumcision can be done at any time of the year, but some people believe that colder weather in winter makes it less susceptible to postoperative infections. But in fact, summer is better for surgery than winter. Summer makes postoperative care easier because of wearing lighter clothing, better ventilation, and most households having air conditioning, reducing the risk of infection. Healing can occur within 1-2 weeks after surgery.
