Male Circumcision: A Modern Surgical Procedure and a Solution to the Problem

Male circumcision has been performed on boys and young men for many years, primarily for religious and cultural reasons or as a rite of passage to mark the transition to adulthood. It is widely practiced for religious and traditional reasons, often within the first two weeks after birth, or at the beginning of adolescence as a rite of passage into adulthood. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin, the fold of skin that covers the head of the penis. It may also be performed for medical reasons to treat problems involving the foreskin. During a circumcision, the foreskin is freed from the head of the penis (glans) and removed. When done in a newborn baby, the procedure is simpler and quicker than in adolescents and adults. Superficial wound healing after circumcision in adults generally takes 5–7 days. However, about 4–6 weeks are needed for the wound to heal fully. In babies and young boys, the healing time is considerably shorter.