Manual for Male Circumcision under Local Anaesthesia

Male circumcision under local anaesthesia
Version 3.1 (Dec09)
Appendix 6.1
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS CONSIDERING CIRCUMCISION FOR THEIR
CHILD
Parents should be given information about circumcision so that they
can give informed consent to the procedure. The information should
be given verbally in the local language using non-technical terms. In
addition, the clinic should have printed information sheets that the
parents can take home. Information given needs to be specific to the
clinic, and should include the following topics.
• What circumcision is. Circumcision is removal of the foreskin.
This means that the head of the penis is exposed all the time.
It does not affect the ability to pass urine normally and does
not affect the ability to father children in adult life.
• The benefits of circumcision. The main benefits of
circumcision are improved penile hygiene, reduced risk of
sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, and reduced risk
of cancer of the penis.
• How circumcision is done. The technique to be used should
be described, i.e. dorsal slit with sutures, Plastibell, Mogen or
Gomco clamp methods.
• The risks of circumcision. It should be explained that
complications from male circumcision are extremely rare but
can include poor cosmetic outcome, bleeding, infection, or
injury to surrounding structures.
• What to do before circumcision. No special precautions are
needed before the operation. If the child becomes ill before the
planned operation date, the parents should contact the clinic to
postpone the procedure until after the child recovers.
• What to do after circumcision. The instructions will depend
on the procedure that has been used (see descriptions of
techniques in Chapter 6).
• What to do if there are any complications or problems after
circumcision, in particular bleeding, infection or other concerns.
This will usually be for the family to bring the baby back to the
clinic, but if distance makes a return visit difficult then an
alternative health facility should be identified.
• An emergency contact number or information about where to
go in an emergency.
Infant and paediatric circumcision Chapter 6 - 25