[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by David_R at 09 May 2004 00:03:31: It's for Mom
As an answer to: Update to Mom written by David_R at 08 May 2004 06:48:30:
I am sorry for the delay- and jet lag doesn't help. Now then, I think we went through the infection issue, creams and antibiotics. That he doesn't have a UTI is wonderful, but I guess I am not sure where the bleeding seemed to come from: a) if mixed in the urine, it is from the bladder or kidneys but in either case red blood cells would generally be seen in the urine- not always- but likely. That implies the bleeding is from the outside, eg frenulum, split in the foreskin etc. This will all become clear this week. Assuming it is not in the kidneys or bladder and it is an external site, then it is almost always going to be trauma of some sort (vigorous attempts at retraction and cleaning etc.) Once that is identified, then a time of healing is needed. After that, is where your dilemma comes in. You can wait and see if it recurs- it might not- but if it does, please don't do what you have read by the you-must-keep -your-prepuce-no-matter-what (YMKYPNMW) brigade, because things are not likely to change and the poor guy will get more and more frustrated by it. I know, I did when there was a cultural change brought into the Australian medical schools largely by British professors who held the YMKYPNMW philosophy, confusing, first do no harm, with always ignore!
Okay, once you and your son who seems to be very understanding of all this from what you have written, have weighed all things, if he wants a circ AND it is recommended that it is still an option by your doctor then proceed. I think I stressed, in that earlier post, to be sure that it is not an amateur doing this as it is an important plastic procedure. Oh, I remember: tell the doctor that you want enough of the inner layer left that it equals the length of the glans. That is typical of a neonatal circ. The frenulum may have to be dealt with, possibly only cut but possibly removed but I would suggest that it be left alone as much as possible. Armed with this, he should listen to you as an informed person and try as best he can to comply. I am not sure if I am on track with your line of questions but it is absolutely no bother to write back. If you care to, you could email me at MD2426-aol.com but I don't expect you to if that is not acceptable to you. I can write here just as easily. David