Circumcision Discharge Instructions

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Discharge Instructions For Parents of Circumcised Infant

Your child was given some form of local anesthesia prior to his circumcision to decrease his discomfort during the procedure. Once this anesthesia wears off, he may respond by being very fussy. To keep your child as comfortable as possible, you may give liquid Tylenol drops for infants (usually 0.4 ml – the smallest amount marked on the dropper) every 4 hours. After a day or so, he should no longer need the Tylenol.

The child’s penis may get swollen and discolored from the circumcision. He may also experience some oozing from the site, but no frank bleeding. If there is bleeding, apply firm pressure to the area of the penis that is bleeding (using a gauze pad) for a FULL 5 MINUTES. You will need a watch to time this. After 5 minutes has passed, remove the gauze pad and throw it away. The bleeding should have stopped. If there is still frank bleeding, call your doctor immediately.

The penis may develop a yellow film in 1-2 days. This is a part of the normal healing process as long as there is no odor or excessive swelling of the penis. (Call your doctor if this occurs). DO NOT remove this film; it will come off on its own.

Your child may have a normal bath this evening. When cleaning your child during diaper changes, please avoid the baby wipes that contain alcohol; alcohol not only stings, but it can also cause bleeding. With every diaper change, it is important to apply a liberal amount of Vaseline to the penis. This will keep the penis from sticking to the diaper. No bandage or dressing is needed. Continue to apply the Vaseline for 7 days.

After circumcision, the penis may seem to retreat into the skin on the shaft of the penis. To make sure that this does not become a permanent problem gently retract the skin two or three times a day, beginning tomorrow. This can be done by grasping the penis with your thumb and index finger and gently pulling the skin towards the baby’s body. It is important that this be done, but be sure to be very gentle. Continue to do this for 7 days.

Your doctor would like to see your child back after 7 days to make sure that the penis is healing like it is supposed to. There is no charge for this visit, as it is included in the price of today’s visit. At that time he will tell you if it is okay to stop applying the Vaseline, and if you may stop retracting the skin on the penis.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call your doctor’s nurse at (602) 254-5561.

PAIN MANAGEMENT: Give medication as directed by physician.

COMMON OCCURENCES:

  • Pain
  • Swelling and discoloration of the penis at the surgical site.
  • Oozing of a small amount of blood in the diaper/underwear for twenty-four hours after the circumcision but NO frank bleeding (easily seen), clots of blood, or drops of blood larger than a penny.
  • Development of a yellow film (fibrin scab) in 1-2 days on the head of the penis. DO NOT remove this film. It is a normal part of the healing process and will come off on its own and heal completely in a few weeks.
  • If there is an odor or excessive swelling of the penis, call your doctor; wound infection can occur.

COMPLICATIONS REQUIRING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION:

  • Frank bleeding (easily seen). Apply firm pressure (pinch between finger and thumb) directly to the bleeding area using a gauze/tissue paper for a FULL FIVE MINUTES. You will need a watch to time this. After five minutes, remove the gauze and observe for bleeding. If there is still frank bleeding, apply firm pressure again and call your doctor immediately.

BATHING:

  • Your child may have a normal bath the evening following the procedure. Avoid baby wipes containing alcohol. Alcohol stings/burns and can cause bleeding.

CARE OF THE SURGICAL SITE:

  • Apply a liberal amount of Vaseline to the head of the penis 3 to 4 times per day or with every diaper change. This will keep the penis from sticking to the diaper/underwear. No bandages or dressings are needed. Continue to apply Vaseline until your child’s post-operative appointment.
  • After circumcision, the head of the penis may seem to retreat (go back) under the skin on the shaft of the penis. To avoid this from becoming a permanent problem (adhesions), gently retract the skin 2 to 3 times a day beginning the third day following your child’s circumcision. This can be done by grasping the penis between your thumb and index finger and gently pulling the skin towards the child’s body. It is very important that this is done. At the post-operative appointment your doctor will let you know if it is okay to stop applying Vaseline and if you may stop retracting the skin of the penis.

FOLLOW UP CARE:

  • Your child will need to be seen by the surgeon two weeks following surgery.
  • Please call our office the day after surgery to make a post-operative appointment or with any questions at 602-254-5561.