Circumcision is the oldest known medical practice significant in the context of culture, religion, and medical considerations. This procedure involves removal of the foreskin covering the glans (head) of the penis for various potential benefits. Usually, circumcision is performed on infants within their first week of birth to promote hygienic and healthy life. This procedure can prevent the transmission of Unary Tract Infections (UTIs), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and penile cancer. In this blog, we will reveal different circumcision tools and methods. Let’s get started!
Is circumcision a common practice?
By the numbers, circumcision is considered one of the most common surgical procedures for men. Globally, 33% of men undergo circumcision with the highest rates in the United States, the Middle East, and South Korea. In fact, 60% of baby boys are circumcised in the United States to reduce health risks and achieve hygienic benefits. Additionally, this procedure holds religious significance for the Muslim and Jewish communities.
Why Circumcision?
Circumcision is a necessary medical procedure to ensure penis health and enhance hygiene. A circumcised penis helps males especially children in cleaning and washing to reduce the risks of infections. Potential benefits include:
Lower Risk of Infections:
Circumcision lowers the risks of infections in males of various ages. This procedure minimizes the risk of Unary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in infants and men, respectively.
Prevention of Paraphimosis and Phimosis:
Circumcision is considered effective in lowering the risks of Phimosis (unretractable tight foreskin) and Paraphimosis (trapped foreskin condition) in males.
Reduced Risk of Prostate Cancer:
According to some studies, circumcision is associated with a reduced risk of Prostate cancer. But more research is needed to support this fact and reach a conclusion.
Reduced Risk of Penile Cancer:
Circumcision is considered one of the best medical techniques to avoid the rare chances of penile cancer in males.
Circumcision is the oldest technique used in ancient times to fulfill cultural and religious practices. In the modern era, modern tools ensure safe and precise outcomes contributing to cultural and medical practices worldwide.
Different Methods of Circumcision
Different methods can be selected for circumcision depending on the religious, cultural, and medical considerations. Let’s explore some key methods:
Dorsal Slit:
This method is not a commonly used method. In this procedure, healthcare professionals make a slit on the upper side of the foreskin to ease pulling it back.
Preputioplasty:
This procedure is often used to address Phimosis conditions by making a partial incision to widen the foreskin opening. It doesn’t involve the removal of the entire foreskin.
Circumcision with Gomco Clamp:
This technique is commonly used in the United States for securing and cutting off foreskin using a Gomco Clamp.
Circumcision with Plastibell Device:
In this procedure, surgeons place a plastic ring with a handle over the glans and the foreskin. The extra foreskin is tied off and trimmed then. The ring automatically falls off as soon as the wound heals.
Freehand Technique:
This technique is not a common technique and requires skill. In this technique, the surgeon cuts off the foreskin without the use of any tool or clamp.
Laser Circumcision:
This kind of circumcision is a non-common procedure and may require a laser to make an incision for the removal of the foreskin.
Common Tools Used In Circumcision Surgery
Surgeons use multiple circumcision tools depending on their choice and the type of surgery they will do. Let’s explore different circumcision tools regardless of the procedure being used:
Scalpel/Surgical Knife:
Surgeons begin the circumcision with the use of a scalpel or surgical knife to make an incision in the foreskin. Scalpels contain sharp and sterile blades for making clean and controlled cuts and handles for accommodating these sharp blades. Most commonly Scalpel with Concave handle and sharp blades is used for circumcision allowing a better grip and smooth incisions.
Mogen Circumcision Clamps:
Mogen Clamp is named after its inventor “Rabbi Harry Bronstein” having the pseudonym “Mogen”. This is specialized for circumcision particularly, in newborns. This clamp is one of the most important circumcision tools, well-known for its efficiency, ease of use, and simple design. It saves time and ensures safe procedures with great accuracy.
Circumcision Probe Tools:
This tool is considered one of the crucial circumcision tools for separation and retraction of the foreskin. This tool enhances the efficiency of the procedure by allowing more precise and controlled incisions.
Gomco Circumcision Clamp:
The Gomco Clamp is specialized circumcision tool for newborns as well as adults. This tool consists of several parts such as a bell-shaped device, a clamp, and a vacuum system for facilitating a smooth circumcision procedure. The bell-shaped device fits over the glans, clamp holds the foreskin while the vacuum system removes the excess blood.
This clamp is available in different sizes ranging from 1.1 cm to 2.6 cm ensuring ease of use and successful outcomes.
Circumcision Metzenbaum Scissors:
Circumcision Metzenbaum Scissors come with a delicate structure and fine blades making them an ideal tool for procedures like circumcision. The ideal curved blades facilitate surgeons in making clean incisions with minimal trauma in a controlled way.
Hemostats:
Hemostats play a crucial role in circumcision by managing the blood flow and maintaining a controlled environment for the surgeon. They control bleeding and maintain hemostasis during surgery for better outcomes.
Conclusion
Circumcision is an important but delicate procedure that requires medical intervention. Therefore, the instruments and tools must be chosen wisely depending on factors surgeon’s preference, the patient’s age, and the circumcision method.
To deal with any surgical procedure, there must be a thorough understanding of the tools and the techniques used.
