Circumcision Procedures: How does the Dorsal Slit Work?

Did you know that only 39% of men worldwide are circumcised?

Considering the many health benefits of male circumcision, that number could be much higher. And it does vary from country to country for a lot of different reasons. Some of the benefits include reducing the incidence of diseases such as:

● Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

● Human papilloma virus (HPV)

● Genital ulcer disease

● Herpes

And because of that, the World Health Organization and the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS has recommended voluntary medical male circumcision for HIV prevention. So, if you’re considering circumcision, you may have questions about the different procedures available.

When it comes to circumcision surgery, there are a few different procedures that doctors can perform. One of these is known as the dorsal slit procedure.

In this article, we’ll explain what the dorsal slit circumcision procedure entails, what you can expect in post-circumcision care, and the advantages of this procedure.

What is a Dorsal Slit?

The dorsal slit is a circumcision technique that involves making a longitudinal cut along the top side of the penis. This cut exposes the glans (head) of the penis so that it can be removed.

Physicians perform the dorsal slit procedure to relieve the tightness of the penis that prevents retraction. It is an easy and quick way to ease pressure from conditions like phimosis and paraphimosis. Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin is too tight to be retracted from the glans. Paraphimosis is a painful condition that occurs when you can’t return the retracted foreskin to its original position.

Apart from treating conditions, the dorsal slit can also be performed on neonates, infants, and children with intact prepuce who wants to undergo circumcision for religious or cultural reasons.

How the Dorsal Slit Procedure Works

The dorsal slit circumcision procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia, though general anesthesia may also be used.

First, the doctor will numb the penis with a topical cream, injectable medication, or a penile block. Once the area is numb, the doctor will make a longitudinal cut along the top side of the penis, starting at the base and extending towards the tip. The incision length will depend on how much skin needs to be removed.

The dorsal slit method requires crushing and dividing the inner and outer preputial layers and extending to the corona. Doing so helps completely free the prepuce under direct vision.

The crushing of the preputial skin before the dorsal slit procedure reduces the patient’s risk of hemorrhage. A hemorrhage occurs when there’s damage incurred to local blood vessels when making the incision.

The incision will then be closed by opposing edges in the horizontal plane. The doctor will then place dissolvable sutures between the two remaining edges. A dressing will be applied to the area, and you will be given instructions on how to care for the wound as it heals.

Pre-Surgery Preparation

Before the procedure, patients need to be fully prepared to prevent any injuries or complications during the surgery.

Here are some things to remember before undergoing circumcision:

● Ensure that the circumcision clinic provides informed consent to the procedure

● Adult patients should not eat or drink from midnight before the procedure

● Toddlers can only eat up to 6 hours before the procedure

● Patients should refrain from smoking

Post-Surgery Care for Circumcision

After the dorsal slit circumcision procedure it’s normal to experience some swelling and bruising in your groin area. The dressing needs to be left in place for 48 hours. After that, you can remove it and clean the area with soap and water. If your dressings are left on too long, it may cause an infection of the wound.

You can also expect some discharge from the incision site. This is normal and will gradually lessen over time. If the discharge becomes foul-smelling or excessive, contact your circumcision clinic immediately.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort after the procedure. Your doctor will prescribe pain medication to help you manage any discomfort you may have.

Avoid engaging in sexual activities or masturbating, as erections may result in sutures pulling out, causing an opening of the wound with subsequent bleeding.

Young patients may have a raw and red glans penis as there’s a tendency for the foreskin to still be attached to the head of the penis. Keep the penis area clean and dry. Also, for any infants patients, they need to be on breast milk as soon as they regain full consciousness after the procedure.

Advantages of Dorsal Slit Procedure

The advantage of this approach is that it provides more access to the inner foreskin than other methods, which makes it ideal for treating phimosis and paraphimosis. It’s also a relatively simple procedure that physicians can perform quickly and with minimal discomfort.

The dorsal slit generally results in less bleeding than other types of circumcision surgeries. Additionally, this type of surgery typically has a lower risk of infections and complications.

As the dorsal slit allows doctors to have a direct vision of the surgical area, doctors can easily identify any injuries and address them intraoperatively.

Safe Circumcision With Professional Doctors

Circumcision is often considered a minor surgical procedure. And knowing how to prepare for the procedure, what happens during the procedure, and the proper home care after the procedure helps ensure that the whole circumcision process is correct and comfortable.

For any circumcision method, including the dorsal slit method, the ultimate goal is that it is safe and without complications. So as much as it’s a minor procedure, it’s still important that it is performed by professional doctors who are trained to do it.

If you’re considering circumcision surgery, be sure to discuss all of your options with your surgeon. The type of procedure that’s right for you will depend on several factors, including your personal preferences and medical history.

Schedule a free phone consultation with us to learn more about the different circumcision methods available. Contact us today!

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