This service is also available to paediatric patients aged 3+
Circumcision (paediatrics)
Circumcision is a surgical procedure to remove the foreskin from the penis. It’s often carried out on newborn babies, for religious or cultural reasons, but can also be performed as a treatment for certain medical conditions.
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What is circumcision?
At birth, the skin that covers the end of the penis (foreskin) is usually tight and cannot be pulled back (retracted) from the end of the penis (glans). As a child grows, the foreskin naturally begins to separate from the glans. In most children, by 5 years old the foreskin can be fully pulled back, but this can take up to the age of 10 in some. This isn’t usually considered a problem, and the foreskin will simply take a little longer to separate. It’s important not to force the foreskin as this can cause pain or damage to the skin. By puberty, the foreskin can usually be fully retracted.
Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin. It’s a common procedure, often carried out on newborn babies, for religious or cultural reasons. It may also be recommended in childhood as a treatment for certain medical conditions.
Conditions that may be treated by circumcision include:
a tight foreskin (phimosis) that may cause pain or problems passing urine
repeated infection (balanitis or posthitis), where the foreskin and penis become swollen and sore
What does circumcision involve?
Circumcision is carried out as a day procedure by our expert paediatric urologists in our state-of-the-art facilities at Welbeck. The procedure and recovery will be fully explained to you and your child beforehand, including options for anaesthesia.
Although circumcision in infants is often carried out using a local anaesthetic, a general anaesthetic is usually recommended for children undergoing circumcision. This means they will be asleep while the procedure is carried out.
During the procedure, the foreskin is carefully removed using a scalpel or surgical scissors, and any bleeding will be stopped using cauterisation (heat). The remaining skin will be sealed using dissolvable stitches, and a dressing will be applied.
The procedure itself usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Your child will be able to go home once they’ve recovered from the effects of the general anaesthetic and have passed urine, which can take a few hours.
What are the side effects and risks of circumcision?
Circumcision is a safe and simple procedure, and aside from some pain during recovery, there are usually no side effects.
Some children may experience bleeding, scarring or infection, although these side effects are rare, especially if proper care is taken during recovery.
How to prepare for circumcision
There’s no preparation required for your child to have a circumcision. If there are any special requirements, your consultant will make you aware before the surgery.
Recovery and aftercare
After circumcision, your child will be sore and their penis will be inflamed for a few days. If their dressing is not removed before you go home, it will usually fall off by itself after a day or so. The stitches used are dissolvable, so they don’t need to be removed, and should be gone in around 2 weeks.
Following circumcision, your child will be invited for a follow-up appointment to check that the area is healing well and that there are no other issues.
Caring for your child after circumcision:
give your child regular pain relief for the first 3 days, such as paracetamol. You’ll be advised on this before you go home
keep the area clean and dry
encourage your child to wear loose clothing
your child can have a bath the day after the procedure
passing urine may be painful at first, but doing it in the bath can help
your child should avoid riding a bike or using other toys that they sit on for at least 2 weeks
your child should be able to return to school or nursery after a week if they feel well enough
Get in touch if:
your child’s penis is bleeding
the penis is still swollen after 2 weeks
your child has pain when passing urine after the first few days
your child experiences a high temperature or feels shivery
Why choose Welbeck?
At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient. Your child will receive the best possible care throughout their procedure in a welcoming and supportive environment where you both feel listened to.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure your child receives the treatment they need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
Book a private appointment
If you would like to schedule a consultation for your child, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your child’s health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
FAQs
Will circumcision be painful for my child?
Your child will be under general anaesthetic, so they won’t feel any pain during the procedure. They will experience some pain and discomfort during recovery, and they can take over-the-counter medicines such as paracetamol to help with this.
When should I seek advice about my child’s foreskin?
It’s normal for a child’s foreskin to be tight and unable to be pulled back (retract), and it can take longer to retract in some children than others. If your child's foreskin cannot be retracted by the time they are 3 or 4 years of age, it’s a good idea to seek advice. If their foreskin is causing pain, is swollen, or they have problems with urination, it’s important to seek help at any age.
At what age can circumcision be carried out?
Circumcision is often carried out on newborn children for cultural and religious reasons, but can be carried out at any age.
Is circumcision reversible?
No, circumcision is not reversible, so it’s important to consider the procedure fully before agreeing to it.
Treatment Programme
Circumcision (paediatrics)
Paediatric Patients Aged 3+ Seen