Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin from the penis.
Deciding whether to have your baby son circumcised is a personal choice for parents. It’s a decision which is often based on religious or traditional factors. If other members of your family have been circumcised, you may decide in favour of circumcision, a procedure which is normally performed within a few weeks of the baby’s birth.
In Australia today, just under 20% of parents choose to have their baby boys circumcised.(1)
There are health benefits to newborn circumcision:
Complications are very rare when circumcision is performed by a skilled medical professional. They can include bleeding and infection.(4)
Circumcision is performed using aseptic (sterile) technique in an operating theatre just like any major surgery.
Dr Hanna firsts injects local anaesthetic around the base of the penis. This is called a dorsal nerve block or ring block. Once it has taken effect, he releases the skin around the head of the penis and uses a small plastic device called a ‘Plastibell’ which is sutured in place underneath the baby’s foreskin. The foreskin is then neatly cut over the edge of the Plastibell.
The Plastibell and the suturing will fall off naturally, usually after a few days when the area has healed.
Dr Hanna provides his mobile phone number for all parents after the circumcision of their son. He is happy to be contacted if the parents are at all concerned about anything in relation to the circumcision.
The procedure normally takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
It can take up to 7 to 14 days for the bell to fall off and about 4 to 6 weeks for the area to completely heal.
Local anaesthetic will make the area numb, so your baby shouldn’t feel discomfort during the procedure. Some babies are upset about being held still and undressed. Sucking on sugar invariably makes them happy and calm.
NO. You may see a few drops of blood in his nappy for the first 3 days. If you see more than a teaspoonful of blood, call Dr Hanna’s rooms/or his mobile right away.
Yes, there is a Medicare rebate for circumcision. Check with your private health insurer to find out if you can claim a health fund rebate.
You will need a referral from your family GP, Obstetrician or Paediatrician.
REFERENCES
1. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/ConditionsAndTreatments/circumcision Accessed 21 Jan 2021
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3734995/ Accessed 21 Jan 2021
3. https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/affected-cancer/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-australia-statistics Accessed 21 Jan 2021
Updated link: https://www.canceraustralia.gov.au/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/statistics
4. https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/about/publications/policiesandguidelines/Circumcision-A-parents-guide-to-routine-circumcision-of-male-infants-and-boys Accessed 21 Jan 2021
North Shore Obstetrician & Gynaecologist
Phone: 02 9489 4881
San Delivery Suite: 02 9480 4161
Dr Hanna has admitting rights in the following hospitals:
Wahroonga Specialist Centre
Suite 5
176 Fox Valley Road
(Cnr. Comenarra Parkway)
WAHROONGA NSW 2076
St Leonards Square
Suite 207
490 Pacific Highway
ST LEONARDS NSW 2065
Dee Why Rooms
Suite 5A
1-5 Dee Why Parade
DEE WHY NSW 2099