During the May 28th episode of ER , Carla Reese has her son circumcised without first consulting his father, Dr. Peter Benton. Circumcision is the surgical removal of the sleeve of skin and mucosal tissue that normally covers the glans, or head, of the penis. This double layer of skin, sometimes called the prepuce, is more commonly known as the foreskin. In the United States about 70 percent of newborn boys are circumcised, in Canada it's about 50 percent, and about 25 percent in the United Kingdom.
Circumcision is quite uncommon in the rest of Europe, in Asia, and in Central and South America.
In most cases the foreskin is still fused to the glans at birth and will separate over a variable period of time. During the diaper period especially, the foreskin protects against abrasion and infection, and throughout life the foreskin shields against trauma and injury. Additionally, parts of the foreskin have been shown to be particularly sensitive and so can contribute to sexual pleasure. Circumcisions may be performed for religious purposes, for perceived health benefits, or for hygienic reasons. However, medical evidence of these benefits is not conclusive.