What is a banding procedure?

Ring circumcision, also known as preputial ring ligation, is a surgical procedure for circumcision using specially designed ring instruments. This method involves placing a circular ring between the inner and outer layers of the foreskin. The ring applies pressure to cause ischemic necrosis of the excess foreskin, which eventually falls off, achieving the goal of removing the redundant foreskin.

Ring circumcision is primarily used to treat redundant foreskin and phimosis. Redundant foreskin refers to foreskin that covers the urethral opening but can be retracted to expose the urethral opening and glans penis. Phimosis refers to a narrow foreskin opening or adhesion between the foreskin and the glans penis, preventing retraction of the foreskin and exposure of the urethral opening and glans penis.

Prior to the surgery, the patient is placed in a supine position, and the genital area is disinfected and draped. The inner ring is inserted inside the foreskin, and after adjusting to the appropriate distance, the outer ring is secured on the outside of the foreskin. The blood supply to the foreskin is blocked by compression, resulting in medically induced natural necrosis. The surgical procedure is simple, minimally invasive, causes minimal bleeding, and the wound edges are neat after surgery, with relatively rapid recovery.

However, all surgeries carry certain risks, including infection, bleeding, and nerve damage. Therefore, before selecting an appropriate treatment method, a comprehensive evaluation by an experienced vascular surgeon is necessary, and the patient should be fully informed about the risks and benefits of the surgery.