Circumcision techniques & methods

Male circumcision is performed today for a wide variety of motives. While medical and religious reasons are usually decisive in childhood, many adult men also have themselves circumcised for aesthetic reasons.

A wide variety of methods have emerged for the removal of the foreskin.

Freehand technique

The classic method, especially for circumcision in adult men or corrective circumcisions, is the freehand method (“cuff technique”). Here, the operating physician removes the foreskin with a scalpel (and, if necessary, surgical scissors) along two defined lines. The resulting ends are then sutured together again.

Depending on the desired style of circumcision, it is decided where the two incisions are made. Accordingly, more or less foreskin remains. In addition to the freehand technique, there are other circumcision techniques that use special tools.

Clamping techniques

Over the years, various companies have developed special clamps that clamp the foreskin so that blood loss is very low and the scar is as beautiful and even as possible.

When using the Morgan clamp, the foreskin is first pulled tightly over the glans. The protruding part of the foreskin is taken into the clamp. Using a scalpel, the clamped skin is finally removed. However, this circumcision method is not suitable for every style, as only partial circumcision is possible.

The Gomco clamp is also widely used. Here, a metal bell is placed over the glans, then the foreskin is pulled over this bell and carefully clamped off. The clamped foreskin is then cut off with a scalpel.

Pliers technology

The forceps technique is similar to the Morgan clamp. The foreskin is first pulled over the glans and the protruding part is grasped with forceps. The skin is pinched off by the forceps and cut off along the forceps by scalpel. The cut ends are then sutured together.

Plastibell Bell & Circ Ring

Two methods that are primarily used for small children, but should not be omitted from this list, are the Plastibell method and the use of the Circ Ring.

With the Plastibell method, a plastic bell is pushed over the glans, the foreskin is pulled over it and tied off with a plastic thread. The foreskin, which is tied off in this way, detaches completely by itself within a few days and falls off with the bell. Thus, there is no incision and a smooth scar.

The Circ-Ring is based on the same principle. Instead of a bell, a ring is inserted between the glans and the foreskin and then tied off with a rubber band.

Laser cutting

In a modern laser incision, the surgeon uses a medical laser instead of a scalpel to cut through the skin. Due to the high temperature of the laser directly at the incision site, there is no or minimal bleeding.