Male
circumcision (from Latin
circumcidere, meaning "to cut around") is the surgical removal of the
foreskin (prepuce) from the
human penis. In the most common procedure, the foreskin is opened and then separated from the
glans after inspection. The
circumcision device (if used) is placed, and then the foreskin is removed. Topical or locally injected
anesthesia is occasionally used to reduce pain and
physiologic stress. For adults and children,
general anesthesia is an option, and the procedure may be performed without a specialized circumcision device. The procedure is most often an
elective surgery performed on neonates and children for religious and cultural reasons. In other cases it may be indicated for both treatment and preventative reasons. Medically, it is a treatment option for pathological
phimosis, refractory
balanoposthitis and chronic
urinary tract infections (UTIs); it is contraindicated in cases of certain genital structure abnormalities or poor general health.