Removal of the foreskin. The frequency of circumcision varies dependent on geographic location, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic classification. These complications can certainly be minimized if an experienced practitioner performs circumcision. Circumcision should not be performed in children with bleeding problems or in those with congenital penile anomalies such as hypospadias, epispadias, chordee, megalourethra, or webbed penis. Bleeding is the most common complication and is usually controlled well with local hemostatic measures.
Infection is the second most common complication, but usually is minor.
Other complications noted in isolated case reports include recurrent phimosis, wound separation, penile torsion, concealed penis, unsatisfactory cosmesis, skin bridges, urinary retention, meatitis, meatal stenosis, chordee, inclusion cysts, and retained Plastibell devices. Other case reports have associated circumcision with very rare events such as scalded skin syndrome, necrotizing fasciitis, sepsis, meningitis, urethral fistula, penile necrosis, and amputation of a portion of the glans penis. Most pediatric urologists recommend circumcision for boys who have difficulties with their foreskin such as acquired phimosis, paraphimosis, and recurrent balanitis. Phimosis Phimosis is a condition in which the distal prepuce cannot be retracted over the glans penis. Most male children, even into their teenage years, have a congenital phimosis, which is considered normal and is not associated with urinary obstruction, hematuria, or preputial pain.