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'Tis the season…for safe circumcision

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17493435399131749343537549.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>This photo take on May 10, 2019, shows a boy covering his eyes while being circumcised during a mass circumcision at a village health center in Manila. Noel Celis, AFP </div>Summer comes and summer goes. Guava trees, where there were still fruit trees in the metro, lose their leaves at a rapid pace.Yes, the season for circumcision has arrived, and requests for preteen boys to undergo the procedure  abound.Most circumcisions in the Western world are performed in the neonatal period.While it can be performed at any age, in the Philippines, this is largely a culturally mandated rite of passage for young boys into adolescence, usually performed under local and /or topical anesthetics, and often during summer vacation.The World Health  Organization states that circumcision may have  some protective effect against sexually transmitted disease and possibly penile cancer.Most boys are given the justification of improved penile hygiene and increased height. No, these are not really true but often they help convince  the boys in making a decision.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/20/19/circumcision-season-rite-puts-filipino-boys-under-pressure">&#x27;Circumcision season&#x27;: Rite puts Filipino boys under pressure </a></div>Due to demands from their constituency, many local government units offer circumcision missions, which are often conducted in basketball courts and schools.Non-physicians are known to offer the procedure. Some physicians and paramedic personnel perform the procedure in clinic.While the access to ideal healthcare may not always be easy, it is mandatory that infection prevention control protocols, and competence in surgical technique are assured .From  the traditional “pukpok” method by tradional healers , circumcision techniques have also evolved, from suturing to diathermy to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/life/04/08/19/technology-meets-tradition-laser-circumcision-emerging-path-to-manhood">even laser applications</a>. Whatever the technique, it is of utmost importance that the procedure not be taken lightly.Many complications have been documented, with <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/21/bata-namatay-matapos-ang-kanyang-tuli-1156">a recent unfortunate death</a> in the news.Bleeding, infections, pain, and inappropriate cuts (too much or too little skin removed) are distressing post-operative events that may need reoperations. In rare instances, injury to the penile skin or urethral meatus( where the urine comes out) have been reported. These are preventable with proper patient selection, preparation, good surgical technique  and  meticulous post-op care .Circumcision is almost always an elective procedure. It is mandatory  that an adolescent boy must give assent prior to scheduling.Informed consent involves providing information about benefits and risks, and encouraging the patient to ask questions.More often than not, fear of pain is the primary reason for having doubts about the procedure. Topical numbing creams and proper local anesthetics are often enough in providing a painless tuli experience.If indeed your son or nephew has signified his desire to have circumcision, please make sure that he really wants it, is prepared for it, and is not just being forced by parents or peers. Remember, it is his body part that is at stake, and he should have a say, knowing that circumcision is an elective surgery.While information abounds on the Internet, so does disinformation . Complications could have lifong consequences, and are often very traumatic to the child.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/health-wellness/2024/6/30/surgical-site-infection-prevention-1649">Surgical Site Infection prevention: Top 5 things to remember before you go under the knife </a></div>Hence, please, please, take this procedure seriously.If your boy says &#x27;YES, I want to have a circumcision&#x27;, please see a  qualified surgeon. There will always be surgeons in government health institutions.Have the surgery done in a health care facility whenever possible to ensure that infection protocols are met.If your boy says &#x27;NO, NOT YET&#x27; or &#x27;MAYBE LATER&#x27;, please also respect his wishes.He should  ultimately be the one to make this very important decision.<div>--</div><div>Established in September 1936, the Philippine College of Surgeons is the country&#x27;s premier organization of surgical professionals. PCS has several surgical specialty societies including the Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons </div>

Circumcision is almost always an elective procedure. It is mandatory that an adolescent boy must give assent prior to scheduling.

Circumcision is almost always an elective procedure. It is mandatory that an adolescent boy must give assent prior to scheduling.

'Tis the season…for safe circumcision

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'Tis the season…for safe circumcision

ABS-CBN News,

Esther A. Saguil,

MD,

PhD,

Pediatric Surgeon

Published June 08, 2025 08:58 AM PHT

Read More:

Philippine College of Surgeons

Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons

Circumcision

Tuli

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