Circumcision

Circumcision is a surgical procedure involving the removal of the foreskin, the fold of skin that covers the tip of the penis. In the NHS, circumcisions are performed for medical reasons.

Circumcision wound site

Some bruising and swelling around the wound site is normal. This will gradually improve over the following weeks.

However, if the wound looks red, feels hot to the touch or starts to ooze blood or pus, this may indicate an infection.

If your child becomes more irritable than usual or develops a temperature, please contact your GP or local accident and emergency department for further advice.

If they have difficulty passing urine, please take them to your local accident and emergency department immediately.

Pain Control

Pain medication such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen should be taken regularly for at least the first 24 hours after surgery. Hospital staff will advise you on

pain relief. Please ensure you have Paracetamol (Calpol) and Ibuprofen (Nurofen) at home.

Infection

It is important to keep the surgical site clean and dry for the first few days to allow it to heal. 'Bugs' (bacteria) that cause infections thrive in warm, moist environments, so an operation site is the perfect place for them to grow.

Bathing

Please do not bath or shower your child for the first two days after their operation to reduce the chance of the wound becoming infected.

After two days it will be possible for them to have a bath or shower, however we do not recommend using bubble bath or oils in the bath water for the first week after the operation. These can irritate the sensitive wound site and cause discomfort. Please do not let your child soak in the bath for a long time for three weeks after surgery.

General care

The stitches around the wound are dissolvable. This means that they do not need to be removed, but they can take up to two to three weeks to fully dissolve.

It is advisable to dress your child in loose-fitting clothing such as boxer shorts and/or tracksuit bottoms, rather than tight-fitting underwear and trousers made of harsh materials such as denim.

These materials may rub against the wound and stitches, causing irritation and discomfort.

Nappies should also be kept loose to prevent rubbing.

Apply paraffin ointment, as recommended by the surgeon, on to the tip of the penis after surgery. Standard paraffin ointment is available to buy without a prescription.

Activity

Avoid playing on toys that need to be straddled (bicycles and rocking horses) for the first two weeks.

Swimming should be avoided for three weeks following surgery. Avoid PE and contact sports for three to four weeks. School-age children can return to school after a week.

Discharge Home

You will be discharged home once your child has fully recovered from general anaesthetic. They will have to eat, drink and pass urine in the hospital before the discharge.

IMPORTANT: After surgery, if your child develops a fever, swelling at the wound site, difficulty passing urine, or prolonged bleeding from the wound, please take them to your local accident and emergency department immediately.

Contact numbers

Pre-op: Ward T11 admin: 020 3447 1100 (08.00-16.00)

Pre and Post-op: Admission’s team admin: 07966 774 271 (08.00-16.00)

Ward T11S: 020 3447 1103 or 07950 869 745

UCLH Switchboard: 020 3456 7890