Post Operative Issues

Healing:

Healing is usually rapid and occurs in several stages, as is experienced with any other wound.

There are many factors that influence healing; but most importantly, every child heals differently. Our experience indicates a typical range of 4-7 days for younger babies and 1-2 weeks for older babies.

The area just under the head of the penis (especially the underside) may become swollen and look ‘like a blister’. This type of swelling is normal and will gradually subside within a week or two.

In the first few days after the dressing falls off, there may be yellowish, patchy areas that are associated with the normal healing process. This can last for up to two weeks. Please note that this is healing tissue and not an infection.

It often takes about a month for the penis to take on a normal, healed appearance.

Colour:

The head of the penis may appear red, glossy or purple. This is because it is a mucous membrane (like the skin inside your cheek). Once exposed over time the mucous membrane will toughen (or keratinize) and take on a ‘normal’ appearance.

Aesthetic Result:

Extremely rarely, a poor aesthetic may result if too little skin is removed or more likely when the cut edge of the skin re-attaches too high or too low along the length of the penis. The latter is sometimes caused by the presence of hydrocele or penile erections.

In nearly all these cases, the penis will heal properly, and in time, take on a normal appearance.

If you are concerned in any way about the appearance of your son’s penis, please don’t hesitate to contact Dr Demediuk.

Bleeding:

Please check your baby’s nappy for any bleeding regularly during the first 24 hours after the circumcision.

When you open the nappy, it is normal for there to only be a little blood. Anything more extensive or clots is not normal.

If active bleeding from the penis occurs:

Apply pressure to the penis for at least 2-3 minutes by grasping the penis between your thumb and two fingers (over a tissue).
Without removing the tissue, inspect the area for continued bleeding and repeat step one if necessary.
Leave the tissue in place and close the nappy as removing it may lead to renewed bleeding.

It is reasonable for you to try the pressure technique twice, for 2-3 minutes at a time.

4. If you cannot stop the bleeding with the pressure technique, call Dr Demediuk immediately on his mobile. If there is no response, please call an ambulance on 000.

Concealed Penis:

When the visible length of the penile shaft is short or when there is a significant amount of pubic fat, the penis will tend to retract inward. This can be a normal occurrence and is generally only a concern if the healing circumcision adheres to the surrounding skin resulting in a ‘trapped penis’.

If your son fits this profile, expose the glans that have retracted inward by placing gentle downward pressure on either side of the base of the penis and apply a very thin layer of petroleum jelly to the glans, each day, until it has fully healed. This may take about 1-2 months.

Please consult Dr Demediuk if the penile head cannot be fully exposed or if any connecting skin bridges form between the shaft skin and the head of the penis.