Circumcision: What To Expect After Surgery

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What to Expect After Surgery

After the circumcision, the groin, penis, and scrotum may appear reddish brown because of the solution used to clean the skin before surgery. The shaft of the penis where the skin was removed will look raw and slightly swollen. This tender appearance should gradually disappear in the next few days.

Your baby will be observed for 2 to 4 hours after the procedure. Health professionals will check his penis for excessive bleeding, and the circumcision area may be dressed with petroleum jelly and gauze. If gauze is used, it stays on for about 24 hours. Before you take off the gauze, soak it in warm water and gently loosen it.

During recovery after surgery, it is common for:

• The baby to have pain while urinating. It is often painful when healing skin comes in contact with urine and stool. This pain usually fades within 3 or 4 days but may persist for up to 2 weeks. Keep in mind that even though your baby's penis will usually start feeling better after 3 days, it may look worse. The penis will usually look like it's getting better at around 7 to 10 days after the procedure.
• The baby to be irritable. Your baby may not sleep as well and may seem fussy while the circumcision site heals.
• A thin yellow film to form over the circumcision site the day after surgery. This is part of the normal healing process and should disappear in a few days.

Stitches (sutures) are not used for infant circumcision. Sutures are used when circumcision is done on an older child or adult.

Care after circumcision

You can help make your baby feel comfortable and heal more quickly if you:

• Gently wash the penis with warm water after each diaper change. Soap is not recommended. Do not attempt to remove the film that forms on the penis. This film will go away on its own. Pat dry.
• Apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) liberally to raw areas on the head and/or shaft of the penis during each diaper change. The petroleum jelly prevents the scab from sticking to the diaper.
• Make sure diapers are fastened loosely to decrease irritation of the penis.

Ask your health professional about giving your baby acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) for pain control after the procedure.

Older children and adults may resume their normal activities soon after surgery, avoiding anything irritating or painful to the penis.

Last updated:	February 19, 2008
Author:	Debby Golonka, MPH
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Peter Anderson, MD, FRCS(C) - Pediatric Urology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC