Benefits & risks
Let’s talk circumcisions.
Like all operations, circumcisions have benefits and risks
It is very important for you to understand all the risks of a circumcision. Like any other operation, risks exist and you should balance these risks against the intended benefits to make an informed choice as to whether you wish to go ahead with the operation or not. We will outline some of the risks here, but will also provide you with more details before your appointment and give you the opportunity to ask questions during the pre-operative consultation.
Bleeding
The risk of uncontrolled bleeding is less than 1 in 100 (1%). We use many techniques to control the bleeding, but on rare occasions, these techniques may not work. If this happens, an ambulance is called to take the patient to the hospital and the bleeding is controlled in hospital.
Infection
The risk of infection is smaller than the risk of bleeding. It is less than 1 in 100 (1%). Strict infection control policies are in place to minimise this risk and we regularly audit our clinic to ensure we excel at the CQC’s infection control standards. If an infection occurs, we will prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
Pain
We use a local anaesthetic before we begin the operation. This numbs the penis for the operation and makes the procedure virtually pain free. The local anaesthetic starts to wear off about 2 hours after the operation. At this point your child may be slightly uncomfortable, and we would encourage the use of paracetamol to help.
Irreversible procedure
Ultimately, a circumcision is an irreversible procedure. You need to be sure that it is the right decision for your child.
Before the operation is carried out, we will fully assess your child and provide all the information you need to make the decision on carrying out the operation. If we deem your child to be unsuitable for the circumcision procedure, we will advise you on the next steps and give you a full refund.