Circumcision Study halted due to trauma

[the_queen]

I thought this would be an interesting read, for anyone contemplating circumcising their baby.

Circumcision study halted due to trauma (http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/9712/23/circumcision.anesthetic/)


A new study found circumcision so traumatic that doctors ended the study early rather than subject any more babies to the operation without anesthesia.

The researchers discovered that for those circumcised without anesthesia there was not only severe pain, but also an increased risk of choking and difficulty breathing.


But the researchers found that while topical anesthetics may help initially, they are woefully inadequate during foreskin separation and incision.

They concluded that if circumcision must be performed, it should be preceded by an injected anesthetic.

In fact, they found the results so compelling that they took the unusual step of stopping the study before it was scheduled to end rather than subjecting any more babies to circumcision without anesthesia.

[Shanaynay]

:thumbsup: that's all I have to say!

[Becteria]

Confirms my decision not to circumcise my son when he is born. I just cant see the point!

I had enough trouble watching my daughter get her shots before leaving hospital !

[theycallmemum]

But wouldn't a local anaesthetic shot hurt just as much? I've had local a few times and it just stings so bad.

I think if it needs to be done then the bub should be given a general, anything else is just cruel, poor bubba doesn't understand this'll just sting for a minute.

I've got 3 intact boys, dh wanted to do our first son but after he was born he took one look at him and knew there was no way anyone was touching him, now he's as adamant as I am about not doing it.

[Zada]

the reason my son isnt done:yes:

[MotherNurture]

A local like Lidocaine stings and burns; I've had a local in my ankle-a far less sensitive area than the genitals-with narcotic IV pain meds on board, and it hurt intensely before fading into a dull ache and relative numbness (I could still feel pressure).

Many babies just get something like EMLA cream, a topical...which numbs only very superficially.

Some babies just get an 'oral anesthetic' like a sucrose (plain ol' sugar water) pacifier or a lil' Tylenol.

It's also important to keep in mind that everyone's pain tolerance is different, and local anesthetic effectiveness varies greatly from one person to the next. You know how when you have dental work done you have the option of raising a hand to let the provider know you're not numb enough and need more anesthetic? Babies don't have that option. It's assumed that they're screaming because they 'don't like being strapped down' rather than the fact that they're having amputative surgery on one of the most intimate and sensitive areas of their tender little bodies.

Jen

[Pippi Longstocking]

***quoted post removed, as original post deleted***

I honestly just don't understand. Why hurt them? :crying:

[andrewJ]

I honestly just don't understand. Why hurt them? :crying:

underlying this whole thing are very complicated issues about gender, society etc. I.e, if considered objectively, it is clear that why some people even consider that circumcision might be a reasonable thing to do to a boy has nothing to do with medicine.

i have just finished a book by my lecturer of genetics. His name is Steve Jones of University College London.
This guy is incredibly intelligent. I would reccomend his books to anybody anyway, as popular science reading.

he wrote a book called "the descent of man" which in short, explains why men might be becoming extint, and also why men are so stupid , why they can do such stupid things, why they obsess over their penis etc, - all to do with having a Y chromosome instead of two X's.

Of particular interest, he devotes an entire chapter to the topic of male circumcision.

The point of this post was just to let people who are interested know that if they get the chance to read this....take it.

[AM]

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I'll check that book out, Andrew, I've always wondered what was behind the whole penis obsession thing!!:laughing:

[xkwzit]

Thanks to everyone who has contributed constructively to this thread, from both sides of the discussion. However, this thread has gone a bit offtrack and some posts have been deleted. Does anyone have any more posts relating to the study referenced in the OP?

You can start a new thread if there are other circ topics you would like to discuss. If this thread devolves into an argument it will be closed.

Cheers

[xkwzit]

I have deleted another off topic post. As no-one has anything further to add to this topic, this thread is now closed.

Cheers