Pediatric Service
Circumcision & Tongue-Tie Repair
Our Board-Certified Providers offer you expert surgical care for the comfort of your child during procedures performed in infancy. We have completed more than 4,000 circumcisions for babies in the La Mesa region.
What is circumcision?
Males are born with a hood of foreskin covering the head of their penis. Circumcision is a standard surgical procedure that removes this skin to expose the end of the penis. The Board-Certified Providers at Grossmont Pediatrics typically perform the procedure in the hospital within 10 days of the baby’s birth before you bring him home.
Parents often base their decision to circumcise an infant on personal preference, religious beliefs, or for hygienic reasons. Benefits of circumcision include less risk for developing urinary tract infections and a reduced risk for penile cancer.
What can I expect during and after a circumcision?
Your doctor ensures your baby is comfortable during the procedure by using a local anesthetic. Once the surgery is over, you need to care for your child’s penis carefully, keeping it hygienic with clean, warm water. If your doctor applies a bandage over the surgical site, you may need to change it daily and apply petroleum jelly for several days to allow the penis time to heal.
What is tongue-tie?
Tongue-tie is a condition that affects newborns. It occurs when a thick, tight band of tissue secures the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. Typically, this band of tissue separates naturally before birth, ensuring your baby’s tongue has a full range of motion. This condition can make breastfeeding difficult and, if not treated, can lead to difficulties in your child’s ability to speak, eat, and swallow
What is the treatment for tongue-tie?
It is easy to treat tongue-tie with a surgical procedure. In many cases, your Board-Certified provider performs the surgery before your baby leaves the hospital. Depending on the nature of the condition, your provider may also suggest waiting to see if the tissue separates on its own over time.
There are two main surgical procedures that repair tongue-tie:
Frenotomy
A frenotomy is a simple surgical procedure where your doctor uses surgical scissors to snip the band of tissue.
Frenuloplasty
A frenuloplasty is a more extensive procedure that may be necessary if the band of tissue is too thick to cut. It also requires general anesthesia. Your doctor will cut the tissue and then use sutures to close the wound.
Through early intervention, your doctor can help reduce the risk for speech problems and ensure your child can easily breast or bottle-feed without difficulty.
If you’re preparing to give birth and have questions about these procedures, schedule a consultation online or by calling the office directly.
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