| Neonatal male circumcision |
Delay until age of consent |
| • Is a simple surgical procedure for a competent medical practitioner |
• Is a more complex procedure |
| • Quick: takes several minutes |
• Takes 30 minutes or more |
| • Cost is relatively low |
• Much more expensive and can be unaffordable |
| • Low risk of adverse events (0.4%), most minor |
• Higher risk of adverse events (incidence 4–8%) |
| • Any bleeding is minimal and easily stopped |
• Prevalence of bleeding is greater, requiring cautery or other interventions |
| • Sutures not needed |
• Sutures or tissue glue required |
| • Convenient since the baby sleeps most of the day |
• Inconvenient owing to need for time off school or work |
| • Local anesthesia used if < 2 months old |
• General anesthesia for age > 2 months to 9 years. For older ages local anesthesia may be used, although general anesthesia may be preferred by the surgeon |
| • Healing is fast (< 2 weeks) |
• Healing time is ≥ 6 weeks |
| • Cosmetic outcome usually good |
• If stitches are used, stitch marks may be visible permanently |
| • No adverse psychological effects |
• Potential for adverse psychological effects |
| • Immediate benefit against UTI risk |
• Benefits delayed until after the procedure |
| • Fulfils right to optimum lifetime health |
• Postponing until age of consent permits “self-determination” |
| • Lifetime benefit to risk ratio ≥ 100:1 |
• Procedural complications may exceed benefits |
