Male Circumcision

This chapter attempts to address most of the controversial and less controversial biopsychosocial and ethical aspects of infant circumcision. Indications for circumcision and surgical circumcision techniques, including its complications, are discussed. Ethical aspects of infant male circumcision are addressed, in order to enable the pediatric surgeon to get informed consent/assent, should the child be cognitively capable to comprehend the procedure. The importance of performing infant circumcision in a professional and safe manner, including the provision of appropriate anaesthesia and or analgesia, is emphasised. Evidence is provided to support the argument that to consider infant circumcision as a harmless procedure, without short- and long-term complications and consequences, is a misconception.