Circumcision Sutured

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A circumcision (sir cum SI zhun) is the surgery to remove the foreskin (extra skin) at the end of the penis (Picture 1).

What to expect after surgery

a circumciced and uncircumciced penis

  • The penis may have a dressing around it. The dressing may fall off on its own during the first couple of days after surgery. If it does not fall off on its own, soak the area in warm water for at least 15 minutes or until the dressing loosens. Then gently remove the dressing from the penis.
  • Once the dressing is off, apply triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin®) to the area several times a day or with each diaper change.
  • You may see stitches. These will dissolve over the next 7 to 10 days.

Pain control

  • Most boys will have some pain for 6 to 8 hours. Some may experience pain for up to several days after surgery.
  • If your child is playful or active, you can assume he is comfortable.
  • If your son is uncomfortable, you may give him Tylenol® (see Helping Hand HH-V-58, Acetaminophen).

Follow the doctor’s orders for giving Tylenol for pain:

  • Do not give more than 5 doses of this medicine in a 24-hour period unless ordered by your child’s doctor.
  • Read the label each time before you give your child any medicine.
  • If the medicine is a liquid, always use a measuring device to get the exact dose. Do not measure liquid medicines in kitchen spoons.
  • Store all medicine out of the reach of children.
  • If your child or someone else takes too much of this medicine, first call the Central Ohio Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222. They will tell you what to do.
  • Check for soft daily bowel movements after surgery. Constipation can cause more pain for your son.

When to call the doctor

Call your child’s doctor if your child has:

  • Severe pain that does not get better with pain medicine.
  • Fever over 101 degrees F rectally.
  • Continuous oozing of blood or more than a few drops of blood on penis or dressing.
  • Redness that starts to spread from the tip up the penis toward the abdomen (belly).
  • Pus-like drainage or foul odor from the penis.
  • Less urine than before

Your child may have nausea and vomiting 12 to 24 hours after the surgery. If this continues, please call the Pediatric Surgery office at 614-722-6630.

Diet

When your child gets home, start giving him clear juices, water, Pedialyte® or popsicles. When he can keep these down, slowly add foods he regularly eats.

Activity

  • Your child should avoid straddle toys for two weeks.
  • There are no other restrictions.

There are NO restrictions for the use of car seats. Your child should ride in his car seat as usual.

Bathing       

Resume your child’s normal bathing routine after two days.

Follow-up

If your child’s circumcision was done by Pediatric Surgery, a nurse from surgery clinic will call you in 2 to 4 weeks.

If you have any questions or your child is having problems after regular office hours, call the doctor on call:

  • For Pediatric General Surgery call 614-722-3900.
  • For Pediatric Urology Surgery call 614-722-6630 or the hospital operator at 614-722-2000 and ask for the urologist on call.
  • In an emergency, call 911.

Circumcision Sutured (PDF)

HH-I-426 4/17 Copyright 2017 Nationwide Children’s Hospital