Ring circumcision has various advantages, including a fast process and minimal risk of bleeding. However, there are also some disadvantages of ring circumcision. To find out if the ring circumcision method is suitable for your child, consider the following explanation.
There are still many people who think that circumcision is only done for cultural, social, and religious reasons. In fact, circumcision actually also has various health benefits, ranging from preventing disorders of the penis to reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
There are various methods of circumcision. Some of the popular methods are conventional circumcision and ring circumcision. There are many kinds of ring circumcision, including Gomco clamps, Mogen clamps, Plastibell , and Smart clamp .
Getting to Know Ring Circumcision and Its Kinds
In principle, ring circumcision is performed with a special tool that is placed in a circle around the penis. This tool aims to block blood flow to the foreskin to be cut so as to prevent severe bleeding.
Ring circumcision can be performed on newborns and older children. Several types of ring circumcision that can be performed on newborns are:
1. Gomco Clamps
This method of circumcision is most popularly used for newborns, because it is fast, effective, and has minimal bleeding risk. In the Gomco clamp circumcision procedure, first the foreskin is separated from the head of the penis using a special tool called probe .
An incision is then made in the foreskin to allow a bell-shaped device to be placed between the head of the penis and the foreskin. Once the device is in place, the foreskin is pulled up over the device and a clamp is placed around it to reduce blood flow to the foreskin area.
In the final stage, the foreskin will be cut with a scalpel and removed.
2. Mogen Clamps
As with Gomco clamps, initially the foreskin is separated from the glans, then the foreskin is pulled over the glans and a metal clamp with a slit in it is attached.
After the clamp is in place, the foreskin will be cut with a scalpel. The clamp remains in place for several minutes to prevent bleeding.
3. Plastibell
This method is also similar to the Gomco clamping technique. After separating the foreskin from the head of the penis, a plastic bell-like device is placed between the foreskin and the head of the penis.
Next, a thread will be tied in a circle to form a ring outside the foreskin to block blood flow to the foreskin. After the thread is tied, the foreskin will be cut with a scalpel and the plastic bell will be removed.
The ring-shaped plastic string is usually left for 6–12 days. Later, the bond of the thread will come off by itself.
4. Smart clamp
As for older children, ring circumcision can be done by Smart clamp . In this type of ring circumcision, a special tool is used in the form of a tube complete with plastic clamps. The size of the tube used varies between 10-21 mm and will be adjusted to the size of the penis.
In the process, the length of the foreskin to be cut is marked first with a surgical pen, then the doctor will measure the diameter of the penis with a special measuring instrument to determine the size of the plastic tube to be used.
After that, the foreskin will be separated from the head of the penis, then a tube is inserted between the foreskin and the head of the penis and a clamp (plastic clamp) is attached from the outside until it reaches the end of the tube.
This will allow the foreskin to be squeezed between the clamp and the tube. When it is confirmed pinched, the foreskin will be cut with a scalpel. The clamps and tube are left attached to the penis for 5 days. There is a hole at the end of the tube for urine to come out.
Advantages of Ring Circumcision
In newborns, ring circumcision has several advantages, namely a fast circumcision time and minimal risk of bleeding. Whereas in older children, the advantages of ring circumcision with Smart clamp is:
- The circumcision process is very fast, which is only about 7-10 minutes
- At the age of circumcision, children can immediately wear pants and carry out activities as usual
- It does not require stitches or bandages because there is minimal bleeding, and even the penis can be exposed to water
Disadvantages of Ring Circumcision
Although it has many advantages, there are also some disadvantages of ring circumcision, namely:
- The cost is relatively more expensive than regular/conventional circumcision because it requires special tools
- The recovery process after circumcision tends to be long, which is about 10 days
- At risk of penile swelling
- The final result of cutting the foreskin is not good
- Trauma due to removal of clamps and tubes on ring circumcision with Smart clamp
Ring circumcision can indeed be an alternative to conventional circumcision which requires stitches. However, keep in mind, in addition to having advantages, ring circumcision also has a number of disadvantages. Therefore, to determine the right circumcision technique, you should consult a doctor.
Written by:
dr. Sonny Seputra, M.Ked.Klin, Sp.B, FINACS
(Surgeon Specialist)