If necrotising fasciitis develops after a circumcision, it must be diagnosed and treated immediately, or significant damage will follow.
Circumcision on the NHS
Circumcisions can be carried out on the NHS for medical reasons (the NHS will not fund circumcisions performed for religious reasons.) A child or adult may have a medical need for a circumcision due to:
- A tight foreskin that cannot be retracted
- Inflammation of the foreskin and penis tip
- Paraphimosis – where the foreskin is trapped under the tip of the penis
- Hardening and inflammation of the tip of the penis
How is a circumcision performed?
Circumcisions that are carried out on the NHS are normally done under general anaesthetic, although it is possible for the procedure to be done with local anaesthetic – particularly if the patient is a baby. The foreskin is then removed with a scalpel or surgical clamp. A special tool which uses heat to stem bleeding is applied to the wound, and the remaining skin is sutured together with dissolvable stitches.
Patients who undergo a circumcision can usually go home the same day. There will be some swelling and pain for the next four to six weeks, after which a full recovery should be made.
Circumcision and infection
As with all surgical procedures, a circumcision does carry some risks. One of the most common risks is a post-surgical infection. This will cause further pain and swelling, and will leave the patient feeling unwell and feverish. There may also be a foul-smelling discharge from the wound.
If there are any signs of infection, a patient should immediately seek medical help. Antibiotics should be prescribed. The patient should also be told to return, should the problem get any worse.
Circumcision and necrotising fasciitis
There are different types of bacteria that cause different types of infection. If a circumcision patient becomes infected with necrotising fasciitis, further treatment will be required in the form of surgical debridement. When necrotising fasciitis is introduced during a surgical incision, it can take around four days to fully materialise.
Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive bacterial infection that will cause a fever, intense pain at the site of infection, and skin that is red and hot to touch. The skin will then turn dark red to purple in colour, while the patient will become increasingly unwell.
When necrotising fasciitis affects the male genitalia, it is known more specifically as Fournier’s Gangrene.
Fournier’s Gangrene or necrotising fasciitis must be diagnosed and treated immediately, or the tissue will be extensively damaged. This may affect the patient’s ability to achieve an erection, have sex or urinate normally.
Failure to treat
If doctors fail to treat Fournier’s Gangrene/necrotising fasciitis after a circumcision, causing harm that could otherwise have been avoided, there may be grounds for a claim. Contact us to find out more.
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