This involved great danger of death due to bleeding or infection and, in some states, such as the Byzantine Empire, was seen as the same as a death sentence.
Praktik ini sangat berbahaya dan kerap mengakibatkan kematian akibat pendarahan hebat atau infeksi, sehingga dalam beberapa kebudayaan seperti Kekaisaran Byzantium, pengebirian disamakan dengan hukuman mati.