Types of Circumcision 

You would not want to have an elective (optional) surgical procedure performed on your newborn baby without understanding exactly what was going to happen. These videos are important to watch. (If it's hard for you to watch, imagine how hard it is for a newborn to go through.)

There are three different devices commonly used to carry out infant circumcisions — the Gomco clamp, the Mogen clamp, and the Plastibell. There is no such thing as a “bloodless, “painless,” or “no-cut” circumcision. All three devices involve surgically cutting through healthy tissue dense with blood vessels and nerve endings, and each device comes with unique risks. No matter what tool and what kind of pain management is used during a circumcision, your baby will still feel pain. This is not a “little snip.” It is a significant loss of purposeful body tissue.

Note: Stanford School of Medicine videos are helpful in seeing examples of circumcision procedures, but the audio is a voice-over, so you do not hear the babies’ actual screams or see their faces. 

The Mogen Clamp

Injuries Linked to [Mogen] Circumcision Clamps (LA Times)
"There have been numerous reports in recent years of patients being injured by the Mogen clamp, which is much less popular than the other two types of circumcision devices, which are two-part systems that protect the tip of the penis."

A Comparison of the Mogen and Gomco Clamps (Pediatrics-AAP)
"Although considerable controversy exists regarding the medical value of circumcision, the evidence is overwhelming that it is a painful procedure. Multiple studies have shown increased heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and stress hormone production, as well as decreased oxygen saturation (SaO2) during circumcision. These are all nonspecific markers associated with stress. Infants also display a specific pattern of facial expression classically associated with pain. Some studies have suggested that in addition to causing immediate pain, circumcision may have consequences that persist beyond the perioperative period."

The Gomco Clamp

The Gomco Circumcision (AFP) 
"Some of the more common concerns regarding the use of the Gomco clamp are technique-related, including choosing the correct size of the Gomco bell and clamp for the procedure, choosing the right method of getting the foreskin properly through the hole of the Gomco base plate, and assessing how much foreskin to remove."

The Plastibell Device

While the “Nucleus Health” video spews many false and misleading “benefits” of circumcision not supported by Your Whole Baby, this video does give a non-graphic glimpse into the horrors involved with this procedure. 

More Videos of Circumcision