Contraindications to Routine Circumcision

For practioners who are asked to perform circumcisions, it it critical to know when to say "no". Although uncommon individually, there are several conditions that are considered contraindications to circumcision, so it is not unusual for a physician with a busy practice to have several patients who would not be candidates for routine neonatal cirucumcision.

Anatomic Contraindications

Medical Contraindications

Other Contraindications

Anatomic Contraindications to Neonatal Circumcision

• Hypospadias
• Chordee
• Penile Torsion
• Webbed Penis
• Buried Penis
• Urethral Hypoplasia
• Epispadias
• Ambiguous Genitalia (including bilateral cryptorchidism)

back to top

Medical Contraindications to Neonatal Circumcision

• Any current illness or medical condition that requires monitoring
• Age less than 12 - 24 hours
• Known bleeding diathasis (e.g. hemophilia or thrombocytopenia)
• Disorders of the skin or connective tissue that would impair normal healing

back to top

Other Contraindications

• Informed parental consent has not been obtained

back to top

Back to Circumcision