Circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin, the sleeve of tissue covering the head of the penis. The decision to have the procedure performed is often influenced by medical, cultural, or religious factors. Several different types of medical professionals are trained to perform this common procedure. The specific provider chosen generally depends on the patient’s age, overall health, and the setting where the procedure will take place.
Primary Hospital Providers
The majority of circumcisions in the United States are performed on newborns before they leave the hospital. This setting makes the procedure part of routine postnatal care, primarily involving physicians who manage the health of mothers and infants.
Pediatricians and family practice physicians are the most frequent providers performing neonatal circumcisions in the hospital setting. These doctors are trained to perform the routine procedure on healthy newborns, often utilizing specialized instruments like the Gomco clamp or the Plastibell device. The procedure is typically performed within the first few days of life.
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (OB/GYNs) are also sometimes trained to perform circumcisions, particularly in facilities where they are the primary physician responsible for both the mother and the newborn immediately following delivery. For these providers, the procedure is performed quickly with local anesthesia to minimize discomfort for the infant. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that the procedure be performed only by licensed and properly trained healthcare providers to ensure safety.
Specialty and Advanced Providers
When a circumcision is performed outside the immediate newborn period, or when a patient presents with complex anatomy or a prior complication, a surgical specialist is required. The Urologist is the most common specialist, focusing on the urinary tract and male reproductive organs. Urologists perform circumcisions on older children, adolescents, and adults for both medical and elective reasons.
Medical conditions such as phimosis (where the foreskin is too tight to retract) or balanitis (inflammation of the head of the penis) often necessitate a referral to a Urologist. These specialists also handle complex cases, including revisions of prior incomplete procedures or those involving underlying anatomical abnormalities. Unlike the quick neonatal procedure, adult circumcision is a more involved surgical process that may require local or general anesthesia.
General Surgeons may also perform circumcisions, particularly on adults, especially in hospital settings or for medical necessity. However, the Urologist remains the specific specialist focusing on conditions related to the male genitalia. Pediatric Urologists specialize further, dealing exclusively with procedures on infants and children, especially those presenting with congenital issues that complicate the removal of the foreskin.
Non-Clinical Settings and Practitioners
Circumcisions are also performed outside of traditional clinical environments, often for cultural or religious purposes. In the Jewish tradition, the procedure, known as Bris Milah, is performed by a Mohel, a practitioner specially trained in both the medical techniques of circumcision and Jewish law. A Mohel often performs the procedure at a religious ceremony, typically on the eighth day after birth.
A Mohel’s training blends surgical skill with religious knowledge, and their technique is often characterized by its speed. Some Mohels may also be licensed medical doctors, though this is not a requirement of the religious role. Specialized freestanding clinics also exist, offering circumcisions for infants up to six months old, and sometimes older children and adults. These clinics are staffed by physicians or other licensed healthcare providers who have extensive experience performing the procedure in an outpatient setting.
Choosing the Right Provider
Selecting the appropriate provider requires considering the patient’s age and the setting of the procedure. For a healthy newborn, a pediatrician or family practice physician is a standard choice, providing the procedure before hospital discharge. The credentialing process ensures that any licensed provider has the necessary education and training.
For an older child or an adult seeking the procedure, or if there is a medical complication, a Urologist is the most experienced specialist to consult. It is helpful to verify a provider’s credentials, including their licensing, certification, and training history (a process known as primary source verification). Insurance coverage restrictions and the location of the procedure may also influence the final choice of provider. Seeking a provider with a high volume of experience in the specific age group of the patient can help ensure a safe and satisfactory outcome.