Manual for Male Circumcision under Local Anaesthesia

Male circumcision under local anaesthesia
Version 3.1 (Dec09)
SKIN PREPARATION AND DRAPING
Skin preparation with povidone iodine
Prepare the skin with povidone iodine antiseptic solution, starting with
the glans and the shaft of the penis, and moving out to the periphery.
Holding the penis with a swab, retract the foreskin in order to clean the
glans. The prepared area should include the penis, the scrotum, the
adjacent areas of the thighs and the lower part of the abdomen
(suprapubic area), so that there is no risk of the surgeon touching
unprepared skin during the procedure. If the patient has a history of
allergy to iodine, use an alternative solution, such as chlorhexidine
gluconate. The solution should remain wet on the skin for at least two
minutes.
Fig. 5.10 Preoperative skin preparation with povidone iodine
Draping
Draping provides a sterile operative field and helps prevent
contamination of the wound. The edges of the drapes that hang below
the operating table are considered to be non-sterile.
Scrub and put on gown (if worn) and gloves before covering the patient
with sterile drapes. Leave uncovered only the operative area and the
areas where the anaesthetic will be administered. A single drape with
a hole in it for the penis is better than four drapes secured with towel
clips (Fig. 5.11).
Surgical procedures for adults and adolescents Chapter 5-10