Circumcision scar

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Penis with a visible circumcision scar

In males who have been circumcised, the circumcision scar refers to the scar after a circumcision has healed. In some cases, the scar can be darker-colored, and, in all cases, it will encircle the shaft of the penis.

Appearance[]

The scar, which completely encircles the shaft of the penis, is located at the boundary of the shaft skin and the inner foreskin remnant, which is the portion of the foreskin that was not removed during circumcision. This foreskin remnant is mucosa that lies between the glans and the circumcision scar, which results in dissimilar tissue healing together. In adult circumcision part of the frenulum may remain intact. The foreskin remnant is dried mucosa and can often have a different color and texture than the rest of the penile skin. It can be pinkish or light-colored, and it typically becomes covered with keratin to protect it from a dry environment. Some circumcision scars result in a marked color difference on the shaft.

The characteristics of the circumcision scar often depend on the technique that was used. The location of the scar on the shaft varies depending on how much of the foreskin has been pulled forward before it is clamped. Open surgical techniques using sutures may cause uneven scarring where the sutures were placed. Newborn circumcisions do not require sutures and therefore can result in a fine, even scar.[1] Circumcisions after the newborn period that are performed without sutures (techniques that use cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive instead of sutures and techniques like Plastibell that heal by secondary intention) often result in an even, circumferential scar.[2]

Problems with the scar[]

There is some controversy as to what happens to the severed nerves of the foreskin at the scar. Xin et al. (1997) suggest that nerves regenerate, forming new receptors.[3] However, pathologists Cold & Taylor (1999) report: "Histology of the male circumcision scar shows amputation neuromas, Schwann cell proliferation and the bulbous collection of variably sized neurites. Amputation neuromas do not mediate normal sensation and are notorious for generating pain."[4] Three known cases of penile cancer have occurred on the scar.[5]

Additional images[]

  • Distinctive brown ring scar resulting from neonatal circumcision using the Gomco clamp method

  • Before and after

  • Excised frenulum on a circumcised penis

  • Frenulum remnant and scar from a Gomco clamp circumcision of a 34 year old male

    Frenulum remnant and scar from a Gomco clamp circumcision of a 34-year-old male

  • Visible circumcision scar

    Scar visible from Circumplast clamp method.

  • Two toned scar

    Prominent two toned scar.

References[]

  1. ^ Manual for early infant male circumcision under local anaesthesia (PDF). Geneva: World Health Organization. 2010.
  2. ^ "ברית מילה רפואית". Thursday, 20 May 2021
  3. ^ Xin ZC, Choi YD, Rha KH, Choi HK (August 1997). "Somatosensory evoked potentials in patients with primary premature ejaculation". The Journal of Urology. 158 (2): 451–5. doi:10.1016/S0022-5347(01)64499-9. PMID 9224321.
  4. ^ Cold CJ, Taylor JR (January 1999). "The prepuce". BJU International. 83 Suppl 1: 34–44. doi:10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.0830s1034.x. PMID 10349413. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11.
  5. ^ Fetsch JF, Davis Jr CJ, Miettinen M, Sesterhenn IA (January 2004). "Leiomyosarcoma of the penis: a clinicopathologic study of 14 cases with review of the literature and discussion of the differential diagnosis". The American Journal of Surgical Pathology. 28 (1): 115–25. doi:10.1097/00000478-200401000-00014. PMID 14707873. S2CID 46814477.
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