A circumcision is the surgical removal of a male baby's foreskin. This is surgery done on many babies in the United States and around the world shortly after birth and before discharge from the hospital.

Circumcision is usually done in the hospital nursery or a special procedure room. It may be done in an outpatient setting as well. It is also done for religious reasons but also for other medical reasons.

• Benefits & Risks

What to Expect
The baby will lie on his back with his arms and legs restrained. After the penis and surrounding area are cleansed, an anesthetic can be injected into the base of the penis. A special clamp or plastic ring will be attached to the penis, and the foreskin will be removed.

Afterward, the penis will be covered with an ointment, such as petroleum jelly, and wrapped loosely with gauze. The entire procedure takes about 10-15 minutes.

Circumcision - Gomco Technique
The Gomco clamp is one of several devices currently used for neonatal circumcision. Invented around 1935 by Dr. Hiram Yeller, an obstetrician, and Mr. Aaron Goldstein, an inventor, it has been in continuous use for more than 70 years. (The clamp gets its name from the company that originally manufactured it, the Goldstein Manufacturing Company.)

Circumcision - Mogen Clamp Technique
Designed by Rabbi Harry Bronstein in 1954, the Mogen clamp is the one most commonly used by mohels for ceremonial circumcision. The Mogen clamp has the advantages of being rapidly performed and not leaving a foreign body at the circumcision site. The disadvantage is that the device does not directly protect the glans during the procedure.