Circumcision is the surgical removal of the part
skin that covers the tip of the penis (glans) of every
newborn human male. This part of the penile anatomy is called
the foreskin or prepuce (for more medical terms
relating to circumcision,
see here). Amongst Jews and Muslims circumcision is
preformed for religious reasons. Most parents in the United
States choose circumcision for their infant sons for
nonmedical reasons [1].
 
Circumcision is a minor surgical procedure that is
normally performed within a few days after birth
by the baby´s obstetrician or pediatrician. Due to
the changes in policies regarding the length of
hospital stay of the mother and infant after birth
(which has been cut back in most cases to one day only
due to the huge financial costs involved), many infants are circumcised in
out-patient clinics. The average cost of the procedure
is around $200-$300,
which is very small compared to the
costs involved in the whole birth process (which usually
amounts to several thousand dollars).
 
Even though the majority of circumcisions in North
America are performed on newborns, it is also often
performed on older boys (and even adults) in order to
rectify penile problems like phimosis, or to treat infections.
In newborn babies, the procedure takes only a few minutes, and
a local anesthesia, which numbs the penis, is used. In adolescents
and adults, general anesthesia (which puts the patient to sleep)
is used. This is also applies to babies older than
a few months.
Parents considering circumcision should therefore
bear this in mind, since general
anesthesia (and sometimes
even a brief hospitalization period) will make the operation
much more expensive.
1.
J.D. Tiemstra,
Factors affecting the
circumcision decision,
J Am Board Fam Pract 1999; 12(1): 16-20.
 
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References
The Gilgal Society, London (at the ICIRC site).
Dr. J. Smith (at the ICIRC site).
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