Tight circumcision. Notice that the median raphe (the dark line on the underside of the penis running down the midline from the frenulum and continuing down the scrotum) has been twisted more that 90 degrees counterclockwise (the line extending directly vertically down from arrow 1). This would be the result of not joining up the two cut edges of tissues correctly. The circumcision is so tight that the body of the penis appears to buckle inside its skin (the protrusion indicated by the black line). Also, the base of the penis is actually covered by scrotal skin pulled up onto the shaft of the penis (arrow 2).
Hairy penis. The removal of virtually all of the normal shaft skin has pulled up hair-bearing skin from the base of the penis and scrotum to the circumcision scar line. Not only unsightly, the hair interferes with comfort during intercourse. Arrow 1 shows remnant of frenulum, arrow 2 shows the circumcision scar with hair growing right up to it. Arrow 3 shows scrotal skin pulled up on the penile shaft. Obviously, the location of hair-bearing skin cannot be judged when circumcision is done to a child.
Skin Bridge. In newborns, the foreskin has not yet separated from the glans. Circumcision leaves a raw wound from what will become the circular circumcision scar on the shaft all the way foreward to the end of the penis. Commonly, a segment of the raw glans heals to the remaining shaft skin, forming a skin bridge. The penis may pull to one side during erection, and cleaning under the skin bridge may be difficult. Repair requires more surgery.
Tight circumcision. The area between arrows 1 and 2 is the only remaining original shaft skin. The area above arrow 1, which is at the circumcision scar, was originally the inner mucosa of the foreskin. The area below arrow 2 is scrotal skin pulled up onto the penis, the base of which is marked by arrow 3. This erect penis appears to be smaller than it is because of the scrotal skin covering roughly a third of the shaft.
Keratinization of glans. The glans (head) of the penis is normally protected by the foreskin and maintains a moist, smooth surface. When permanently exposed by circumcision, it becomes thicker and more leathery.
Extremely tight circumcision. This circumcision is so radical that the testicles are pulled up onto the shaft of the penis during erection. Arrow 1 denotes the circumcision scar, arrow 2 shows the beginning of scrotal skin. So the area between arrows 1 and 2 shows the remaining original shaft skin. Arrow 3 show the base of the penis hidden behind the scrotum. At least 80% of the original penile skin must have been amputated to produce this result. The remaining skin gradually stretches with growth, but may result in painful erections during puberty and later. Sometimes tearing or bleeding of the skin occurs during sexual activity.
Note: None of these circumcisions would be considered a circumcision "complication." The only complications considered in the medical literature are those occuring in the period immediately after the procedure. The problems shown above would not likely be evident until sexual maturity. Many men with similar circumcisions may not even be aware that certain sexual problems they experience are a result of their poorly done circumcison.
