Circumcision revision is a rare surgical procedure that your child may need when the original circumcision has unsatisfactory results. Benefits include a decreased risk of infection and aesthetically pleasing results. Risks include anesthesia risks, bleeding, infection and, rarely, the need for another revision. Most people recover within two weeks.
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Circumcision revision is the repair of a previous circumcision. It’s a fairly quick outpatient surgical procedure. But it usually requires general anesthesia.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
During a circumcision revision, a healthcare provider surgically cuts and resews the skin of your penis with dissolvable stitches (sutures). This procedure may be necessary if there was unexpected healing from the initial circumcision which led to scar tissue formation, skin abnormalities or penile deformity. You may also need a circumcision revision if you have a serious skin infection, urinary tract infections (UTIs) or inflammation that goes away and comes back (recurrent inflammation) and leads to swelling and/or pain.
A healthcare provider may recommend circumcision revision if your child has problems with their penis after circumcision. These problems may include:
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Talk to a healthcare provider if you notice any problems with your child’s penis after a circumcision.
Circumcision revision is a relatively common procedure that pediatric urologists perform. Some studies suggest that pediatric urologists perform them more frequently now than in the past. But the reason for this isn’t clear.
A circumcision revision is a surgical procedure under general anesthesia. Before a circumcision revision, a healthcare provider will review your child’s health history and perform a physical examination. Tell the provider if your child is taking any medications. Certain medications and/or medical conditions may affect how well your child’s blood can clot and increase their risk of bleeding.
A provider will also give you specific directions on when you shouldn’t allow your child to eat or drink anything before the circumcision revision — usually at least eight hours before the procedure. If your child has food or liquids in their stomach, there’s a risk that they could vomit (throw up) and choke.
In most cases, a pediatric urologist performs a circumcision revision in a hospital. A pediatric urologist is a doctor who specializes in treating and diagnosing conditions that affect children’s urinary and reproductive systems.
A circumcision revision can take place at any age. But younger children recover more quickly than older children. A healthcare provider will give you a better idea of when you should expect to schedule the procedure.
Yes, an anesthesiologist will give your child general anesthesia before a circumcision revision. Your child will be asleep and won’t feel any pain during the procedure.
The exact procedure depends on why your child needs a circumcision revision. Your child’s pediatric urologist will decide the best approach for your child’s condition.
The urologist uses a surgical knife (scalpel) to remove the extra or abnormal skin and then stitches the remaining skin back together. They’ll also inject some numbing medicine (local anesthetic) as part of the procedure to help with pain.
A circumcision revision usually takes about 30 minutes.
The penis is a sensitive body part, and a circumcision revision can be moderately painful. Your child won’t feel any pain during the procedure, and they’ll typically get an injection of numbing medicine as part of the surgery to help with pain. During recovery, your child’s penis will be sore and swollen. The pain may last for a few weeks. But it generally improves within a few days.
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Older children and adults may have more pain than younger children and babies. Most manage pain and discomfort with over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Motrin®) and acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Not everyone can take NSAIDs, so it’s a good idea to check with a provider before you take any or give any to your child.
You can expect the following after a circumcision revision:
Your child may have some bandages or medical skin glue on their penis after surgery. You can help promote healing and reduce the risk of infection by applying a petroleum-based ointment like Vaseline®, Aquaphor® or bacitracin to the penile skin for at least two to three weeks after surgery.
You should be able to sponge-bathe your child after a circumcision revision. But it’s a good idea to avoid a full-body bath until at least two days after the procedure. Carefully wash the area with soap and warm water. Pat the area dry with a towel after the bath and reapply any ointments. Reapply ointments after each diaper change, as well.
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The main benefit of a circumcision revision is that it can correct any poor cosmetic results from the original circumcision. It also decreases the risks of:
When performed by a qualified healthcare provider, the success rate for circumcision revision is very high.
Like all surgeries, circumcision revision has some risks, including:
In very rare cases, there’s also a risk that redundant foreskin remains.
Most people recover within a week to 10 days after a circumcision revision. But in some cases, it may take up to two weeks. Your child’s healthcare provider will give you a better idea of what to expect after the procedure.
As your child recovers, they should avoid lying on their stomach or playing on straddle toys (e.g., rocking horse, see-saw, bicycle or swing).
It’s a good idea to keep your child home from school or daycare for at least a week after a circumcision revision.
You should call a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any issues with your child’s penis after a circumcision. If your child needs a circumcision revision, they have a lower risk of developing complications the sooner they go through the procedure.
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You should also contact a provider right away if your child has a circumcision revision and develops signs of infection. These signs may include:
It depends. Many insurance companies consider a circumcision revision a cosmetic procedure and may not cover it unless there are documented health problems that relate to the original circumcision. But talk to a healthcare provider. They can give you an idea of whether a circumcision revision is medically necessary.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Circumcision is a very common procedure. But sometimes, there can be complications that require a circumcision revision. As a parent, it can be frustrating to hear that your child may need a circumcision revision. The last thing you want to do is put your child through any additional pain or discomfort or expose them to other surgical risks. Talk to a urologist. They can best advise you on whether your child would benefit from a circumcision revision.
Last reviewed on 06/10/2024.
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