CircumcisionRisksAll surgical procedures have risks. Problems
after
circumcision are not common. Minor problems are
short-term and may include:3, 2 - Oozing or slight bleeding from the surgical
site.
- Infection of the circumcision site or at the opening to the
urethra.
- Irritation of the exposed tip of
the penis (glans) as a result of contact with stool or urine.
Long-term minor problems can include:3, 2 - Damage to the opening of the urethra, which
leads from the bladder to the tip of the penis (meatal stenosis).
- Scarring of the penis from infection or surgical error. For
example:
- The entire foreskin may not be removed,
leaving portions of it attached to the penis (skin bridge). This may cause pain
during erection.
- Scar tissue can grow outward toward the tip of the
penis from the cut edge of the foreskin. Repeat surgery on the penis may be
required to improve appearance or to allow normal passage of urine if the
opening from the bladder has been blocked by this scar tissue.
- The
outer skin layer (or layers) of the penis may be removed
accidentally.
- An opening that is too small for the foreskin to
retract over the penis (phimosis). This can happen if too
little foreskin is removed.
Major problems are very rare but can include:3, 2 - A complete removal of the skin covering the
shaft of the penis, causing the penis to appear to have been completely
surgically removed.
- Too much bleeding. Stitches may be needed to
stop the bleeding.
- Serious, life-threatening bacterial
infection.
- Partial or full removal (amputation) of the tip of the penis.
(This is extremely rare.)
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