Post-Operative Care Instructions for Circumcision
For optimal wound healing and prevention of complications after circumcision, the wound should be kept clean and protected with petroleum jelly application after each diaper change or cleaning for at least 6 months in children, and for the first 1-2 weeks in adults. 1
Immediate Post-Operative Care
Wound Care
- Remove the initial surgical dressing after 24-48 hours unless otherwise instructed 2
- Gently clean the area daily with warm water
- Apply petroleum jelly to the surgical site after each cleaning 1
- For infants/children: Apply after each diaper change for 6 months
- For adults: Apply 3-4 times daily for 1-2 weeks
Pain Management
- Use scheduled acetaminophen and ibuprofen for the first 48-72 hours
- Avoid opioids when possible 2
- For children: Weight-appropriate dosing of acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Activity Restrictions
- Avoid strenuous physical activity for 1-2 weeks
- Sexual abstinence is required for at least 6 weeks (42 days) after circumcision 3
- This recommendation applies to both HIV-positive and HIV-negative men
- Resuming sexual activity before complete healing increases infection risk
Monitoring for Complications
Signs of Infection
- Increasing redness, swelling, pain, or warmth
- Purulent discharge
- Fever >38.5°C or heart rate >110 beats/minute 2
- Erythema extending >5 cm beyond the wound margins
Other Complications to Watch For
- Bleeding: Small amounts of spotting are normal in the first 24-48 hours
- Meatal stenosis: Particularly in children, watch for narrowing of the urinary opening 1
- Adhesions: Formation of skin bridges between the glans and remaining skin
Follow-Up Care
Routine Follow-Up
- First follow-up: 1-2 weeks post-procedure
- Second follow-up: 4-6 weeks post-procedure to ensure complete healing 3
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Signs of infection as listed above
- Inability to urinate
- Severe pain not controlled with recommended pain medications
Special Considerations
For Children
- Petroleum jelly application significantly reduces the risk of meatal stenosis (0% vs 6.6%), infection (1.5% vs 11.7%), and bleeding (3.0% vs 18.8%) 1
- Average healing time with petroleum jelly: 3.8 days vs 6.9 days without 1
- Continue petroleum jelly application for 6 months after circumcision
For Adults
- Complete wound healing typically takes 4-6 weeks 3
- At 4 weeks post-procedure, approximately 59-70% of wounds are fully healed
- By 6 weeks, over 92% of wounds are completely healed 3
- Early post-operative infection significantly delays healing time 3
Dressing Options
Traditional Dressing
- Paraffin gauze is a common traditional dressing option
- Change as directed by your healthcare provider
Advanced Options
- Tissue adhesive dressing (octylcyanoacrylate) shows higher patient satisfaction and better cosmetic outcomes compared to traditional paraffin gauze 4
Pitfalls to Avoid
Premature sexual activity: Resuming sexual activity before complete healing (before 6 weeks) significantly increases infection risk 3
Inadequate lubrication in children: Failure to apply petroleum jelly increases risk of meatal stenosis and other complications 1
Ignoring signs of infection: Delayed treatment of infections can lead to serious complications and delayed healing 2
Excessive cleaning: Aggressive cleaning can disrupt the healing process; gentle cleaning with warm water is sufficient
Using irritating products: Avoid strong soaps, alcohol-based products, or scented lotions on the healing wound 2