Medical aspects of male circumcision

Why should I read this review?

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 benefits such as improved hygiene and reduced risks of infection (urinary and sexually transmitted) and of penile and cervical cancer, whereas opponents deny or minimise these benefits and cite substantial complication rates and reduced penile sensation. Many parents and patients have firmly held beliefs, placing medical workers under extreme pressure at times when dealing with requests for circumcision. It is vital for all medical staff to be aware of the various indications for circumcision and the operative techniques and their complications to cope with these consultations with an evidence base.

This review concentrates solely on the medical indications for circumcision and does not address the issues of routine, religious, or ritual infant circumcision. It highlights clinical conditions frequently referred for circumcision but which are normal physiological variants and do not require surgery. It also lists the absolute medical indications for circumcision and the complications of the procedure. The various surgical …