Peer Reviewed
Forum

Circumcision: a surgical perspective

Martin J Glasson
Abstract
Today, fewer boys are circumcised in Australia than half a century ago and the majority of these operations are performed for nonmedical reasons in boys with a normal prepuce. With the diversity of opinion regarding the issue involving both medical circles and the general public, what is the medical practitioner’s role? Dr Glasson presents a surgeon’s view.
Key Points

    Circumcision, the operation to remove the prepuce (foreskin), has been in wide use since prehistoric times. In Australia, fewer boys are circumcised now than 50 years ago, but the subject still provokes considerable and often emotional debate. At one end of the spectrum is the idea that all male humans should be circumcised, preferably at birth, regardless of race or creed; at the other end is the conviction that routine circumcision is quite wrong and that the unfortunate men who have been circumcised should consider preputial reconstruction. These opposing viewpoints are irreconcilable.

Get full access
Subscribe for full access to all articles
Buy this article

Single article purchases are temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance.

If you would like to purchase an article during this time, please email us at [email protected] with the article details and we'll assist you directly. We'll also let you know when online purchasing is available again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Already a subscriber?