Circumcision Surgery in India - What is Circumcision, Types & Surgery Cost

Circumcision surgery is a procedure for removing the foreskin of the penis (male genital). Cases of circumcision are quite common in Africans and each year people from Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana come to India for circumcision procedures. The primary reason behind moving to India for circumcision is the cost and quality of the treatment. India offers the cheapest and most affordable circumcision procedure. When compared to the cost of circumcision in India with other places (including African and first world countries), India will offer more affordable and effective treatments than other countries.

In India, you can access globally recognized circumcision specialists, a highly trained medical team, cutting-edge infrastructure, and advanced equipment to ensure world-class treatment at cost-effective prices. So, if you are searching for a high-quality and affordable circumcision procedure, India will be an ideal choice indeed. Here, we will help you with essential details you need to know about circumcision surgeries in India.

Causes of Circumcision Surgery

Circumcision is a procedure for removing the foreskin of the penis. The circumcision procedure is quite common in newborns but it can be also performed later in life. Also, circumcision is a part of religious practice in different cultures. Circumcision can be performed for various reasons. Below, we will discuss some essential causes of performing a circumcision surgery-

■ Lower urinary tract infection (UTI) risks

Performing circumcision helps to reduce the chances of UTI or urinary tract infection. The overall chances of UTI or urinary tract infection are low in men. However, the chances of UTI can be higher in men who are not circumcised. Not only that, in severe cases it can lead to kidney problems in early life.

■ Easier hygiene

Another major reason for performing circumcision is easier hygiene. The uncircumcised foreskin can cause difficulty in maintaining proper hygiene. Circumcision or foreskin removal surgery makes it easier to wash the penis regularly.

■ Reduced risk of sexually transmitted infections

Performing circumcision can also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Circumcised men have a lower risk of sexually transmitted infections. However, having safe sex is the key to staying safe from sexually transmitted infections.

■ Penile Problem prevention

Circumcision can often help in resolving certain penile problems. In some cases, the uncircumcised foreskin of the penis becomes too tight to retract or pull back leading to a condition called phimosis which can cause swelling, irritation, and inflammation of the penis tip and foreskin. Surgical circumcision can help in resolving such penis problems.

■ Reduced risk of penile cancer

Lastly, circumcision surgery can also reduce the chances of penile cancer. Even though penile cancer itself is a rare occurrence circumcised men have lower chances of developing penile cancer in comparison to uncircumcised men.

Different types of Circumcision Surgery

Circumcision surgery procedure is a procedure that helps to remove the foreskin of the penis, making it easily retractable. It can be done in various ways including open, lesser, and more. Your circumcision doctor can help learn more about it. Below, we will list some common types of circumcision surgery procedures-

1. Dorsal Slit

Dorsal slit is one of the most common types of circumcision procedure. In the dorsal slit, the surgeon makes a length-wise slit on the penis foreskin to expose glands while leaving the major part of the foreskin attached to the penis. It is a partial circumcision process.

2. Preputioplasty

Another popular method for performing circumcision is preputioplasty. In this procedure, the foreskin is preserved and the opening of the penis tip is expanded. It is most used for phimosis treatment. 

3. Plastibell Circumcision

This procedure uses a device called plastibell which has a plastic ring that needs to be placed under the foreskin. It takes a free days for excess foreskin to fall off with the ring.

4. Gomco Clamp Circumcision

Gomco Clamp Circumcision is also a popular method for circumcision surgery. In this procedure, the Gomco Clamp device with pull out the foreskin and the Clamp will cut off the excess skin to complete the process.

5. Open circumcision

Open circumcision also known as traditional circumcision uses medical scissors to physically cut out the excess foreskin. The best age for circumcision surgery is in the first month or shortly after the infant is born.

6. Mogen Clamp Circumcision

Mogen Clamp Circumcision is quite similar to the Gomco Clamp Circumcision where a device is used to pull and crush the foreskin of the penis. However, it is quicker and hassle-free than the previous one.

7. Sleeve Resection

Lastly, Sleeve Resection is a commonly used method for circumcision. It uses a lengthwise incision on the penis to remove excess tissue. However, it can leave scars around the shaft.

8. Lesser circumcision

Lesser circumcision is the most advanced and hassle-free method to remove foreskin. It is also the safe and risk-free process of removing the foreskin.

Non-surgical Treatment Alternative of Circumcision Surgery

Many people may feel that they do not need to perform a circumcision. Also, in mild cases, non-surgical alternatives can help to retract the foreskin without surgical intervention. In such conditions, the doctor can suggest other non-surgical alternatives to circumcision for infants. This type of treatment can be helpful in mild cases or to bring temporary relief-

■ Manual stretching

Manual stretching can sometimes help in creating a retractile foreskin by expanding the foreskin tissue. One can do manual stretching using several techniques such as masturbation or mimicking the dynamics of coitus. It can be also done with local anesthesia medically.

■ Topical steroids

Another popular alternative to circumcision surgery is topical steroids. However, it only works on young and adolescent boys and prevents the trauma of circumcision trauma. The best way to utilize topical steroids is along with the physiological application.

Circumcision Surgery Procedure Steps

Knowing what is Circumcision is not enough you must also learn about the procedure and steps in detail.  Circumcision surgery can be carried out in different methods. And according to the chosen method. However, below we will discuss the general procedure of retracting the penis foreskin to help you understand better-

■ Placing the baby on the back - If the circumcision procedure is carried out on a baby. Then they must lie down on the back and limbs must be restricted or secured for a hassle-free procedure.

■ Preparing - After that placement, the baby surgeon will clean the penis. Also, they will give the child local anesthesia or topical cream to numb the penis.

■ Removing the foreskin - The surgeon will choose a circumcision device depending on the type of circumcision plan you and your doctor have chosen such as Mogen Clamp, Gomco Clamp, lesser, stapler, etc. All of these devices help to remove the foreskin circularly. It will also reduce the scope of bleeding and the risk of injury.

■ After circumcision - After circumcision, the doctor will use a gauge and band to cover the wound (if it is an open or a stapler process). 

Circumcision Surgery Recovery Time

The recovery time for Pediatric circumcision and adult circumcision are varied. A pediatric circumcision does not take much time for complete healing. In most cases, it takes at most 7- 10 days for complete recovery after a pediatric circumcision procedure. However, an adult circumcision can take longer recovery time compared to pediatric circumcision. For adult circumcision procedures, at least 6 weeks of recovery time is necessary. As recovery time after circumcision can vary depending on age and other medical factors, you should consult with your healthcare provider about the same. Your surgeon or healthcare provider will inform you in detail about post-operative care and the recovery period.

Circumcision Surgery Cost

The cost of circumcision surgery depends on several factors like location, hospital, method of treatment, medical expenses, surgeon's charges, etc. Generally, the circumcision surgery cost in India can range from USD350 to USD450 which is much lower than in many first-world countries. India offers quality treatments for circumcision at affordable charges. Ask your healthcare provider for an accurate estimation of the foreskin removal surgery cost.

Circumcision Surgery Insurance Coverage

Medical insurance policies can easily reduce the financial burden caused by surgeries like circumcision and others. Whether your insurance policy will cover the charges of circumcision or not depends on the type of policy and terms and conditions. Some insurance can only cover the charges of the procedure. Consult with your healthcare professional and insurance provider to know whether your policy will cover the charges of circumcision and other related expenses.

Circumcision Surgery FAQs