FAQs About Newborn Circumcision: What Parents Need to Know
Navigate the complexities of newborn male circumcision with confidence as this FAQs blog post equips parents with detailed responses to their most pressing questions, ensuring informed decision-making and peace of mind.
What is Circumcision?
Male circumcision is a surgical procedure performed on newborn males to remove the foreskin covering the head of the penis. This practice is rooted in cultural, religious, and medical traditions/beliefs. Medically, circumcision has been linked to various health benefits, such as reduced risks of urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and certain sexually transmitted infections.
The decision to circumcise a newborn male involves careful consideration of cultural, religious, and personal beliefs, as well as medical factors. We encourage parents to consult healthcare professionals to discuss the procedure's potential risks and benefits and make an informed decision that aligns with their values and beliefs while prioritizing their child's health and well-being.
What is the Typical Age Group of Our Patients?
Our practice serves a specific age group, newborns up to 28 days old. We specialize in providing circumcision services for male infants within this age range. It's important to note that we do not perform circumcision procedures for children or adults.
By focusing solely on newborns, we ensure specialized care and attention tailored to the unique needs of infants during their earliest stages of life. Parents considering circumcision for their newborns can trust our expertise in providing safe and compassionate care for infants aged 0 to 28 days.
What are the Benefits of Circumcision?
The benefits of circumcision encompass various aspects of male health and well-being. One significant advantage is the decreased risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in circumcised males compared to uncircumcised individuals, which is particularly relevant in infancy and childhood. Studies have also proven that circumcision can reduce the likelihood of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, in adulthood. Furthermore, circumcision has been associated with a lower risk of penile cancer and certain foreskin-related conditions.
Gain valuable insights into the benefits of male circumcision by exploring our informative blog post, "The Benefits of Newborn Circumcision: Understanding the Medical Advantages." Within this detailed resource, we examine the medical advantages associated with circumcision, including reduced risks of urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and penile cancer. Our blog post equips parents with the essential knowledge to navigate decisions about their child's circumcision and gain a deeper understanding of the benefits associated with circumcision for newborns.
Why an Outpatient Clinic?
According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) findings from 2010, newborn male circumcision is predominantly conducted after hospital discharge worldwide. The immediate postpartum period can be overwhelming for parents and caregivers, necessitating flexible options for procedures like circumcision.
In Rhode Island and numerous areas across the United States, newborn circumcision is commonly performed by OB/GYN physicians in hospital settings, with limited follow-up care. This often leaves Pediatricians and Family Medicine physicians to manage any complications post-procedure. Understanding this issue, our clinic offers the convenience of scheduling circumcision after hospital discharge, accommodating the preferences of parents, and ensuring optimal care for their newborns.
At our outpatient clinic, we address these concerns by providing comprehensive care, including preoperative assessment, state-of-the-art surgical care, postoperative follow up, and 24-hour on call continuous support. As a specialized Center of Excellence exclusively dedicated to newborn male circumcision, we uphold stringent standards in provider training, competency, and care quality, ensuring optimal outcomes for every newborn entrusted to our care.
Do Our Providers Offer In-Home Newborn Male Circumcision for Ceremonies or Convenience?
We understand the importance of convenience and personalization for families during such significant moments. Our team frequently performs circumcision procedures in homes, whether as part of a ceremony or to accommodate the newborn and family/caregivers' needs.
It's important to note that our In-Home service operates on a fee-for-service basis. For inquiries regarding rates or any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're committed to providing exceptional care tailored to your preferences and convenience.
Can Our Providers Travel Out of State to Perform Newborn Male Circumcision?
Absolutely! Through our specialized In-Home, Out-of-State service, we bring the convenience of circumcision procedures to families like yours, no matter where you're located. Our service is structured on a fee-for-service basis, ensuring clarity and adaptability to suit your needs. If you have questions about rates or any other concerns, feel free to contact us directly.
What is the Circumcision Procedure?
Male circumcision is the oldest known surgical procedure in the World. Records from Egypt show this procedure was being performed as early as 3,000 BC and is currently the most commonly performed surgery in the World, with an estimated 1 in 3 men undergoing circumcision worldwide. (WHO, Neonatal and Child Male Circumcision: A Global Review)
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin or the skin covering the tip of the penis. The tip of the penis is called the glans, and after male circumcision and the removal of the foreskin the glans is no longer covered.
How Long Does a Circumcision Take to Heal?
The healing timeline for newborn male circumcision is an important consideration for parents seeking this procedure. Generally, it takes around seven to ten days for the circumcision site to fully heal. During this time, parents should carefully follow postoperative care instructions provided by healthcare providers to promote optimal healing and reduce the risk of complications. While some swelling and discomfort may occur initially, these symptoms typically diminish within a few days. Parents can play an active role in monitoring the healing process and consulting healthcare professionals if they have any concerns about their newborn's recovery.
What is the AccuCirc®?
The Minimally Invasive AccuCirc® sets a new standard in male circumcision with its foreskin holder. This FDA cleared, revolutionary improvement ensures precise tissue removal by applying gentle pressure to hold the foreskin in place. By aligning the foreskin accurately before incision, providers reduce the risk of tissue discrepancies. To fully understand the device please see our animated videos here.
When combined with a skin marking pen, this innovative feature minimizes the chances of over- or under-removal of tissue, guaranteeing optimal outcomes for newborn males undergoing circumcision.
What is a skin marking pen?
Pediatric urologists have been advocating for the use of a surgical skin marking pen to mark the site of the incision to avoid errors in removing too much or too little tissue. In 1983, George Kaplan published a comprehensive review of the complications of newborn male circumcisions, and made the following recommendation: “Prevention of these errors is best achieved by marking the site of the corona on the skin surface prior to any incision.”
Despite these recommendations, most providers in the US do not use a surgical skin marking pen.
The use of a surgical skin marking pen is mandatory in our center. This allows us to perform a very accurate procedure and reduces the risk of removing too much or not enough tissue.
Has the AccuCirc® been clinically tested?
Yes, extensively. The first clinical trial was conducted at Hasbro Children’s Hospital under the direction of Dr. Anthony Caldamone. Because of the importance of male circumcision in preventing HIV, the NIH and Gates Foundation sponsored two randomized controlled trials and two large field trials. These studies led to several publications, FDA clearance, and WHO prequalification, for detailed references discussing the AccuCirc®'s history, click here, History of the AccuCirc®.
Do we use local anesthesia?
Comfort takes precedence in all procedures conducted at our facility. To ensure minimal discomfort for your newborn, we employ local anesthesia administration. Before proceeding with anesthesia, parents have the choice of breastfeeding or utilizing breast milk to calm their newborn. Furthermore, we offer sucrose water as an additional measure to alleviate any discomfort, fostering a comfortable and stress-free experience for both parent and infant alike.
Why Use Bipolar Electrosurgery to Control Hemostasis?
Bipolar electrosurgery emerges as a superior option for achieving effective hemostasis while minimizing complications compared to traditional silver nitrate and alternative methods. Our practice exclusively utilizes bipolar instruments recognized for their safety and efficacy in newborn male circumcision procedures.
Why Use Tissue Adhesive?
Pediatric urologists have long relied on tissue adhesive for infant male circumcision, a practice spanning numerous years. Adhesion formation represents a prevalent complication in newborn male circumcision procedures. By employing tissue adhesive, we effectively seal and safeguard the wound, reducing the risk of incorrect healing pathways. Moreover, tissue adhesive aids in minimizing bleeding and simplifies wound care for parents and caregivers.
Why Not Use a Mogen Clamp?
Over the past 15 years, Dr. Tomlinson has lent his expertise as an expert witness in 20 medical malpractice cases, all related to Mogen clamps and distal tip penile amputations. Witnessing the profound impact of this complication on patients, families, healthcare facilities, and providers, he emphasizes its devastating nature. Regardless of the provider's experience level, this injury can occur, with even higher incidence rates noted outside the US. This devastating complication, that only occurs with this specific circumcision device called a Mogen clamp occurs and is reported every year in the US by the FDA. We will never use this clamp in our center. Ensuring newborn safety, the SafeCirc® Center of Excellence offers parents and caregivers a safer alternative.
Who is Dr. Tomlinson?
Dr. Tomlinson is an MIT trained Mechanical Engineer and US Navy trained Family Physician who has spent the last 20 years working to improve newborn male circumcision care. While stationed in Newport, RI, Dr. Tomlinson developed an improved Gomco clamp that prevents mismatching device parts.
When the World Health Organization concluded that circumcision prevents heterosexual transmission of HIV in 2007 they also asked for a safer device that could be used in resource-limited areas. Dr. Tomlinson assembled a team of experts from around the World, including Dr. Anthony Caldamone, a leading Pediatric Urologist, to solve this problem. The result of this effort is the Minimally Invasive AccuCirc® device and now the SafeCirc® Center of Excellence.
Dr. Tomlinson is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and has been a consultant to the WHO, NIH, and Gates Foundation and developed newborn male circumcision training programs in Nigeria, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Kenya. Dr. Tomlinson has been a staff physician at South County Hospital since 2007 and was named Physician of the Year and awarded the degree of Fellow from the American Academy of Family Physicians in 2015.
The frequently asked questions surrounding newborn circumcision offer a comprehensive view of a significant decision in a child's early life. By addressing common queries and dispelling misconceptions, parents and caregivers gain valuable knowledge to guide their decision-making process. Through thoughtful consideration, consultation with healthcare professionals, and respect for cultural and personal beliefs, families can navigate circumcision decisions with compassion and confidence.
