Circumcision has been practiced for many centuries. The reasons as to why the practice was adopted by humans are varied and range from religion to cultural beliefs to medicine. The techniques that are used differ and are determined by the reasons behind it as well as the person performing it. The principle involved is removal of the foreskin. Whereas some people have newborn circumcision, others think that it should be done much later.
The main reason as to why this practice is part of modern medicine in Toronto is that it promotes personal hygiene. In the uncircumcised male, a thick discharge comprising dead cells tends to accumulate below the foreskin every so often. This discharge is known as smegma. When not regularly washed off, smegma causes odor and predisposes the individual to recurrent infections.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
One of the causes of postponement or cancellation is a poor general health status. It is feared that in such a state the baby may not tolerate the anesthetics needed for the operation. The threshold for pain is lower and the risk for infections higher due to an overwhelmed immune system.
The presence of anatomical abnormalities affecting the penis will definitely mean that the procedure is postponed. Some of these include abnormal locations of the urethral opening such as hypospadia and epispadia. The former describes a condition in which the urethral opening is located on the inferior aspect of the penile shaft while the later refers to the same opening being on the upper part of the shaft.
It is important that the baby is started on a course of antibiotics after they leave the hospital. These are usually taken for between 7 and 10 days. Pain relievers are needed during the same duration as well. A bandage is used to dress the wound so as to keep way potential infective organisms. This bandage should be removed after about 48 hours after the operation.
Babies heal faster than adults after many types of surgery. On average about ten days are required. There may be some redness around the tip and a yellow discharge. These are normal occurrences and should not be a cause for concern. One should only be worried if there is redness that fails to abate or when there is cloudy discharge from the urethra.
There is a need to discuss the risks and benefits related to the operation with the obstetrician to determine the most appropriate time at which it should be done. The risks are a little higher for older boys and men but the results are the same nonetheless. The general advice is that circumcision is not a measure of masculinity and should only be done when circumstances allow.
The main reason as to why this practice is part of modern medicine in Toronto is that it promotes personal hygiene. In the uncircumcised male, a thick discharge comprising dead cells tends to accumulate below the foreskin every so often. This discharge is known as smegma. When not regularly washed off, smegma causes odor and predisposes the individual to recurrent infections.
The best time to have a newborn circumcised is when they are still in hospital after delivery. Since the obstetrician is trained to perform the operation, it will be convenient for the mother and will cost a lot less than when it is scheduled for a later date. The operation may be postponed or cancelled altogether if medical abnormalities are noted in the baby.
One of the causes of postponement or cancellation is a poor general health status. It is feared that in such a state the baby may not tolerate the anesthetics needed for the operation. The threshold for pain is lower and the risk for infections higher due to an overwhelmed immune system.
The presence of anatomical abnormalities affecting the penis will definitely mean that the procedure is postponed. Some of these include abnormal locations of the urethral opening such as hypospadia and epispadia. The former describes a condition in which the urethral opening is located on the inferior aspect of the penile shaft while the later refers to the same opening being on the upper part of the shaft.
It is important that the baby is started on a course of antibiotics after they leave the hospital. These are usually taken for between 7 and 10 days. Pain relievers are needed during the same duration as well. A bandage is used to dress the wound so as to keep way potential infective organisms. This bandage should be removed after about 48 hours after the operation.
Babies heal faster than adults after many types of surgery. On average about ten days are required. There may be some redness around the tip and a yellow discharge. These are normal occurrences and should not be a cause for concern. One should only be worried if there is redness that fails to abate or when there is cloudy discharge from the urethra.
There is a need to discuss the risks and benefits related to the operation with the obstetrician to determine the most appropriate time at which it should be done. The risks are a little higher for older boys and men but the results are the same nonetheless. The general advice is that circumcision is not a measure of masculinity and should only be done when circumstances allow.
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