Circ on a 2yr old?

hikernurse · Oct 21, 2006

Hey Mvanz,

Cool. What else is there to say? I didn't realize one could restore that area to that extent. I can see the appeal (I mean if I were a guy); especially, for somone who feels strongly. It really makes sense--esp. the keratinization process. It's nice to have an extra option, especially since fewer boys are getting circed these days.

Thanks for the info :-).

scribblerpnp · Nov 29, 2006

I am a pediatric Urology Nurse Practitioner and have changed my whole views on circumcision. Maybe I can give you some points of view. I am fine with any parent who wants their son to be circumcised but you need to be fully informed of the process. At 2 1/2 years of age, he will need to be seen by a pediatric urologist, go to the operating room and have the procedure done under general anesthesia and there are some risks associated with that. Although we have done it at this age, it tends to be more difficult on the child than when they are a newborn. There is no medical reason for circumcision and as long as he has not had UTI's or local skin infections, he will be perfectly healthy not being circumcised. Also, your insurance may deem it cosmetic and may not cover it. There are complications that can come from being circumcised (they are rare but do happen) including bleeding, not liking the appearance and meatal stenosis. I would seek help from your pediatrician or find a pediatric Urologist who is not pro-circumcision (I work with two so they are out there) to help verbalise your point of view. Good Luck!

I just wanted to say that while I was in PNP school I did an Out Pt rotation with a PNP who specialized in urology. Your little speech brought back a lot of memories! It seemed daily we were having parents bring in their 2+ year olds with this concern. By the end of that rotation I could talk about circumcision, VCUG's, enuresis, encopresis, high fiber diets, etc in my sleep!

navyscrubs · Dec 21, 2006

I look at circumcision as a way to help keep a little boys parts clean. Little boys usually aren't so thorough when it comes to cleaning things.

Sharly

GardenDove · Dec 21, 2006

My four grown sons weren't circumsised and they are fine. Little boys' memberes look very different than grown mens' memberes, it's really not a big deal. So, generally I'm not in favor of the procedure.

As far as doing it at age two, BAD IDEA, unless you want to give the kid a complex for life. The Jewish people were the experts, and they did it at 8 days. Some African cultures do it as a puberty initiation. But no culture in the world does it at age 2.

mvanz9999, RN · Dec 21, 2006

I look at circumcision as a way to help keep a little boys parts clean. Little boys usually aren't so thorough when it comes to cleaning things.
Sharly

I look at a mild soap (such as Phisoderm) and water as an excellent way to keep boy parts (little or big) clean.

penguin2 · Dec 21, 2006

We do circs on all ages infants to elderly. I do think it should be done at birth- parents need to think about whether or not it's something they want done for their son- weigh the pros & cons, etc. Recently we had a 7 yr old boy, he had spoken to the urologist & said he REALLY wanted this- the urologist explained it wasn't necessary, the risks, recovery, etc. the child very matter-of-factly told the urologist: "I look different than all my friends & I don't like that." They did the surgery, after waiting a yr- he never changed his mind, & he did fine- maybe in his case it would've been more damaging to not do the circ? It's not for me to say- I do know that our urologists do a penile block, the only weird sensation kids sometime mention is the coban dressing- we have never had to give pain medicine for this procedure in kids- even 2 yr olds. I think any "psychological damage" may be attributed to how the parents treat this.

nickola · Dec 21, 2006

This was the case w/my nephew- not enough foreskin at birth to do the circ, so they did it when he was around 2 yrs old. He is now a happy kid in law school, don't think he thinks much about his foreskin....... :lol2:

allnurses Guide · Dec 21, 2006

I look at circumcision as a way to help keep a little boys parts clean. Little boys usually aren't so thorough when it comes to cleaning things.
Sharly

My former husband said the same thing when we went round and round for days about circing our first boy.

I said, "well, why don't we cut off our children's ears too because they don't do a very good job of cleaning out the ear wax". Actually when you think about it, young children aren't that great at wiping their bums either. And now that I think of it, fingernails are hard to clean, let's just pull them off and avoid the whole cleaning issue.

I also mentioned the pain - he said they wouldn't remember it. I said "well, then it would be ok to burn them with the end of a lit cigarette since they won't remember it".

My former husband was not happy with me . . . :lol2: I'm kind of plainspoken.

steph

dansamy · Dec 30, 2006

I allowed my husband to bully me into having our sons circ'ed as infants. I hope they don't grow up to be angry and hate me because of it. I honestly had no clue. I just backed down and let my husband have the say so on it.

damarystx · Dec 30, 2006

I think it is a very personal issue that requires research and soul searching...if the decision is made to do it though I would want a top urologist AND a top anesthitist(sp?) being put under in and of itself carries risk.

allnurses Guide · Dec 30, 2006

I allowed my husband to bully me into having our sons circ'ed as infants. I hope they don't grow up to be angry and hate me because of it. I honestly had no clue. I just backed down and let my husband have the say so on it.

Both my boys are glad their father won the argument - so don't worry.

steph

navyscrubs · Dec 30, 2006

My former husband said the same thing when we went round and round for days about circing our first boy.
I said, "well, why don't we cut off our children's ears too because they don't do a very good job of cleaning out the ear wax". Actually when you think about it, young children aren't that great at wiping their bums either. And now that I think of it, fingernails are hard to clean, let's just pull them off and avoid the whole cleaning issue.
I also mentioned the pain - he said they wouldn't remember it. I said "well, then it would be ok to burn them with the end of a lit cigarette since they won't remember it".
My former husband was not happy with me . . . I'm kind of plainspoken.
steph

I think people make too much of a big deal over this issue. It's not like they are cutting the baby up. It' the cutting of a little bit of skin. It makes them sore for a few days. It heals up really fast. My son was circumcised. He's fine and he's easier to keep clean so he won't get a bad infection. The only issue I really have is that they don't wait eight days. I'm a Christian. The Bible says eight days. The hospital did it the next day.