Last updated: August 15, 2026
Roughly 30% of men worldwide have been circumcised. If you have decided to have it done, the next question is which technique — and they are not interchangeable. This article sets out the four in standard use, with the honest advantages and drawbacks of each. (The medical benefits of circumcision are covered separately.)
Patients weigh up two things after surgery, and it is worth naming both. The first is medical: bleeding, haematoma, and — very rarely — serious injury. The second is cosmetic, and there is nothing frivolous about it: how the result looks matters to how a man feels about his own body afterwards. A technique that scores well on one of these does not automatically score well on the other, which is the whole reason this choice exists.
1. Sleeve resection (WHO-recommended)
The name comes from tailoring: think of the foreskin as a sleeve and the shaft as the arm inside it — the sleeve is removed cleanly from the arm. It demands the most surgical skill of the four, needs electrocautery, and is better suited to a hospital theatre than a clinic room.
Advantages — the best cosmetic result of the four, with well-controlled bleeding.
Drawbacks — the most technically demanding, needs an assistant, and takes the longest.
2. Disposable circumcision stapler
A newer approach using a single-use device. The claimed strengths are shorter operating time, less blood loss and fewer postoperative complications.
Advantages — the shortest operating time, least blood loss, and less demanding technically.
Drawbacks — patient selection matters more than with any other technique. It is not appropriate where there is infection risk, thickened foreskin needs careful assessment beforehand, the device has to be removed at a follow-up visit, and it costs more.
3. Forceps-guided method (WHO-recommended)
A straightforward step-by-step procedure that can be learned relatively quickly, and can be performed in a clinic with limited resources — which is exactly why the WHO includes it.
Advantages — simple technique, no electrocautery required.
Drawbacks — more prone to bleeding, and the cosmetic result is a compromise.
4. Dorsal slit method (WHO-recommended)
More demanding than the forceps-guided method, and widely used around the world.
Advantages — a better cosmetic result than the forceps-guided method.
Drawbacks — carries a risk of removing too much skin, and needs greater surgical skill.
Risks that apply whichever technique is used
Circumcision is a safe operation, but it is still an operation. Some swelling, bruising and discomfort for a week or two is normal and expected. What is not normal, and should bring you back rather than wait for the routine appointment, is bleeding that soaks through a dressing or does not stop with gentle pressure, spreading redness, discharge or fever, pain that is getting worse rather than better after the first few days, or difficulty passing urine. With the stapler, the device is removed at a scheduled visit — do not attempt to remove any part of it yourself, and go back sooner if a staple works loose or the ring becomes tight and painful.
So which one should you have?
There is no single best technique, only the one that best fits your anatomy, your priorities and the setting you are being treated in. Two questions settle most of it: how much does the cosmetic result matter to you, and is there anything about your foreskin — thickening, scarring, active infection — that rules an option out? Ask which technique your surgeon performs most often, too; an experienced pair of hands on a simpler method usually beats an unfamiliar one on a more sophisticated method.
For what to expect afterwards, see the post-circumcision instructions.
If you are considering circumcision and would like to discuss which surgical technique is most suitable for you, Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone offers specialist consultations at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. Book a Consultation. Appointments at Samitivej Sriracha Hospital can be arranged by calling the Urology department on 088-022-1445.
Bangkok Hospital also runs a Telemedicine service, which is a sensible first step for patients travelling from abroad: the general discussion about whether to proceed and what the techniques involve can be had by video, and the examination that decides which technique actually suits your foreskin is then done on the day. Arrange it in advance by email to the Urology department at bhquro@bdms.co.th. Samitivej Sriracha is in-person only.
Frequently Asked Questions about Circumcision Techniques
The four widely approved circumcision techniques are the sleeve resection method, the disposable circumcision stapler, the forceps-guided method, and the dorsal slit method. Each has different requirements in terms of surgical skill, operative time, and cosmetic outcome. The WHO recommends the sleeve resection, forceps-guided, and dorsal slit methods as standard approaches.
The sleeve resection method is considered the gold standard for cosmetic outcomes. It provides the most precise and symmetric removal of foreskin tissue with excellent bleeding control. However, it requires the highest level of surgical skill and is best performed in a hospital setting with electrocauterization equipment.
The disposable circumcision stapler is a newer technique that offers shorter operative time, less blood loss, and simpler technique requirements. It is a good option for carefully selected patients. However, it is not suitable for all cases – patients with thickened foreskin, active infection, or certain anatomical variations may not be ideal candidates, and the stapler must be removed after surgery.
Operative time varies by technique. The disposable stapler method is the quickest of the four, the forceps-guided and dorsal slit methods take a moderate amount of time, and the sleeve resection method takes the longest because of its technical complexity. Exact times depend on the individual case and the surgeon, so ask for a realistic estimate at your consultation. All techniques are performed under local anesthesia in most adult patients.
The most suitable technique depends on several factors including the patient’s anatomy, the surgeon’s experience, the clinical setting, and the patient’s priority (cosmetic outcome versus recovery speed). A consultation with an experienced urologist is the best way to assess which technique is most appropriate for your individual case.
Swelling, bruising and discomfort for a week or two are expected. Return promptly for bleeding that soaks through a dressing or will not stop with gentle pressure, spreading redness, discharge or fever, pain that worsens rather than settles after the first few days, or difficulty passing urine. If a stapler was used, do not try to remove any part of the device yourself – it is removed at a scheduled follow-up visit.
Disclaimer: This content is written and reviewed by Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone, a board-certified urologist at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters. It is intended for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Which technique suits a particular man can only be decided after examination. No medical advice, diagnosis or prescription is provided through personal messaging channels. Bleeding that will not stop after circumcision needs urgent assessment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any medical treatment.
Medically written & reviewed by: Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) — Board-Certified Urologist, Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, in urological practice since 2016. Fellowship: Robotic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan (2019) · Observership: Endourology, Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo (2022) · Research Scholar & Clinical Observer, Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine, USA (2025–2026).
Dr. Soarawee Weerasopone (Dr. Pom) is a board-certified urologist at Bangkok Hospital Headquarters, specializing in Men’s Health, Robotic Surgery (da Vinci Xi) and Kidney Stone treatment. He is currently a Research Scholar and Clinical Observer at the Scott Department of Urology, Baylor College of Medicine (2025–2026), under Prof. Mohit Khera. He completed a Robotic Surgery Fellowship at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan (2019) and an Endourology Observership at Juntendo University Hospital, Tokyo (2022).
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