BMJ  2007;335:1206-1290 (8 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.39385.382708.AD

Clinical review

Medical aspects of male circumcision

Padraig Malone, consultant paediatric urologist, Henrik Steinbrecher, consultant paediatric urologist

1 Southampton University Hospital, Department of Paediatric Urology, Southampton SO16 6YD

Correspondence to: P Malone pat.malone@suht.swest.nhs.uk

doi:10.1136/bmj.39406.520498.ADdoi:10.1136/bmj.39406.523762.AD

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.


1 in 6 males in the world ends up being circumcised
The medical indications to circumcise prepubertal boys are rare
There are many relative indications for circumcision in childhood, but the evidence of benefit needs to be carefully appraised
The medical indications to circumcise adults are similarly rare
Controversy continues about the health risks of preserving an intact foreskin because of lack of evidence and of clear randomised trials
Complications of circumcision are well documented and can be drastic
Nearly all circumcisions are carried out for cultural or religious reasons


Circumcision is the commonest surgical procedure in males, because routine infant circumcision is practised in many countries for religious and cultural reasons. It originated over 15 000 years ago, being performed for religious, ritualistic, and cultural reasons, and it was not until the 19th century that the procedure was "medicalised." It is one of the most controversial surgical interventions: proponents claim . . . [Full text of this article]


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child? Yes
Geoff Hinchley
BMJ 2007 335: 1180. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Is infant male circumcision an abuse of the rights of the child? No
Kirsten Patrick
BMJ 2007 335: 1181. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Circumcision to prevent urinary trcat infection in infants with vesicoureteric reflux
Rajendra N Srivastava
bmj.com, 8 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Medical aspects of male circumcision
Peter Gornall
bmj.com, 9 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Male circumcision and alleged protection from AIDS
Felix ID Konotey-Ahulu
bmj.com, 11 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Death as a complication of circumcision
Paul N. Thiessen
bmj.com, 19 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Psychological and social aspects of circumcision
Kawaldip Sehmi
bmj.com, 13 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Important Omissions from this Review
David C Sokal
bmj.com, 20 Dec 2007 [Full text]
Re: Important Omissions from this Review
Anindya Niyogi
bmj.com, 26 Feb 2008 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ