Who performs your baby's circumcision matters: what new research reveals
A 2025 study published in the Journal of Urology analyzed nearly 1 million newborn circumcisions and found something most families never consider: which type of medical provider performs the procedure significantly affects whether your son will need a revision later. A revision means a second procedure to correct issues from the first circumcision, such as excess remaining foreskin, uneven skin removal, or cosmetic concerns that develop as the initial healing settles. In many cases, revision procedures are performed in an operating room under general anesthesia and carry the risks associated with anesthesia and surgery.
The findings reveal a system-level problem in how circumcision care is delivered, and they point toward solutions that many families don't know exist.
What the research shows about provider specialty and circumcision outcomes
Researchers tracked outcomes for two years after circumcision and compared results across different medical specialties. The study analyzed over 976,000 circumcisions performed between 2010 and 2022, looking specifically at revision rates and secondary procedures.
The study looked at circumcisions performed by obstetricians/gynecologists, pediatricians, urologists, pediatric urologists, pediatric surgeons, and advanced practice clinicians. When researchers compared revision rates across these specialties, they found that OB/GYNs had higher rates than all the other groups. Comparatively, revision rates were:
54% lower when performed by pediatricians
71% lower when performed by urologists
62% lower when performed by pediatric urologists
40% lower when performed by pediatric surgeons
These differences are substantial. In some comparisons, revision rates differed by more than two-fold across specialties.
Why do OB providers have higher revision rates?
OB/GYN providers are highly skilled medical professionals with extensive training in pregnancy, delivery, and maternal health. The higher revision rates have nothing to do with their competence in their field. The problem lies in how the healthcare system structures circumcision care.
Several system factors contribute to the outcome gap:
Circumcision as a small part of practice: For OB providers, circumcision is one procedure among many in a practice focused on maternal health. Specialists who perform circumcisions more frequently maintain specific expertise and see patterns in outcomes that inform their approach.
Timing driven by hospital schedules: Most hospital circumcisions happen within the first 48 hours of life. This timing serves logistical needs rather than medical optimization. Families are still establishing feeding, recovering from birth, and navigating early bonding when the procedure is performed.
Complications managed by different providers: When problems arise after a hospital circumcision, families usually see a pediatric urologist or pediatric surgeon. The provider who performed the procedure never sees the outcome. Without this feedback loop, there's no opportunity to learn from complications and refine technique.
Limited follow-up: After hospital discharge, OB providers typically don't see the newborn again. Pediatricians take over well-child care. This means there's no built-in follow-up visit to assess circumcision healing or catch early signs of complications. Issues that could be addressed at day 10 or 14 may not surface until months later when they require more extensive correction.
The result is a care model where the providers performing most circumcisions have limited opportunity to track outcomes, manage complications, or maintain specialized skills.
What the research tells us is needed
The research points toward what improves outcomes: circumcision care delivered by providers and centers where this procedure is the primary focus. This model creates the accountability, expertise, and continuity that hospital-based circumcision often lacks.
What this model provides:
Specialized focus where circumcision is the primary procedure, not one task among many
Use of the safest available devices
Structured follow-up care to assess healing and address issues early
Providers who see every outcome and continuously refine their approach
Same-provider management if complications arise
Timing optimized for the baby rather than hospital discharge schedules
How SafeCirc® addresses these gaps in care
SafeCirc® was founded to solve the problems this research highlights. The traditional hospital model leaves families without adequate follow-up, continuity, or specialized focus. We built a different approach:
Circumcision is our sole focus: SafeCirc® is a dedicated outpatient circumcision center. We maintain specialized expertise because this procedure is what we do, day in and day out.
100% follow-up with every patient: Every family returns for a two-week follow-up visit. We assess healing, address concerns, and ensure excellent outcomes. Structured follow-up is built into our care model. In our peer-reviewed clinical studies, more than 1,000 procedures were completed using the AccuCirc® technology with 100% follow-up and, to date, no patient has required a revision.
The AccuCirc® device: We use the AccuCirc® device exclusively. Unlike traditional devices requiring a dorsal slit incision, the AccuCirc® is a device with integrated safety features intended to reduce risk. Learn more about why the safest device isn't used in hospitals.
Timing that honors early bonding: We perform circumcisions between day 7 and day 28. This gives you time to recover from birth, bond with your baby, and establish breastfeeding before adding another procedure. The timing also keeps you within the medical window that offers the best outcomes and lowest complication rates. Read about optimal circumcision timing.
Around-the-clock access: During healing, you have direct provider access anytime. Questions don't wait for office hours.
We believe our revision-free record reflects a deliberate and highly standardized approach to circumcision care: specialized training, optimized timing, complete follow-up, provider accountability, and the use of the AccuCirc® system with a marking pen and a foreskin holder designed to enhance procedural precision and consistency.
Our zero-revision record reflects this approach: specialized training, optimal timing, the safest device, complete follow-up, and accountability for outcomes.
Bottom line
Research on nearly 1 million circumcisions shows that provider specialty affects revision rates. OB providers have higher rates compared to pediatricians, urologists, and pediatric surgeons. The hospital model typically offers no follow-up visits, routes complications to different providers, and performs procedures on a schedule driven by discharge timing rather than medical optimization. Dedicated circumcision centers address these system problems through specialized focus, consistent follow-up, provider accountability, and timing designed for optimal outcomes. SafeCirc® built this model from the ground up: 100% follow-up, the AccuCirc® device, day 7-28 timing, and zero revisions across 1,000+ procedures. Provider experience, follow-up, and care model all matter, and families deserve the opportunity to make informed decisions about their newborn’s circumcision care.
Key takeaways
A 2025 study analyzing nearly 1 million circumcisions found OB/GYNs have significantly higher revision rates than other specialties
The gap reflects system design: OB providers typically don't follow up with newborns or manage circumcision complications
A revision is a second procedure needed to correct issues from the first circumcision, such as excess foreskin or uneven removal
Outcomes improve when providers specialize in circumcision, see patients in follow-up, and manage their own complications
Dedicated circumcision centers exist to solve these system problems through specialized focus and structured follow-up
SafeCirc® provides 100% follow-up, uses the AccuCirc® device, recommends day 7-28 timing, and has achieved zero revisions in a1,000+ procedures
FAQs
Why don't OB providers see babies in follow-up?
OB/GYNs specialize in maternal health. Their training and practice focus on the pregnant person rather than the newborn. After delivery, babies transition to pediatric care. This works well for most aspects of newborn health, but it creates a gap for circumcision, which the OB performs but which requires pediatric-focused follow-up. A helpful question for families to ask is: Who provides follow-up care after circumcision, and how is healing monitored after the procedure? At SafeCirc®, follow-up is not optional — it is a standard part of care. Every patient is seen at two weeks, and our team remains available throughout recovery.
What is SafeCirc®'s revision rate?
As of 2026, across more than 1,000+ circumcisions performed with the AccuCirc® device and comprehensive follow-up, we have not had a patient require revision. This reflects specialized focus, use of the safest available device, optimal timing, and seeing every patient at two weeks to ensure excellent outcomes.
Can my baby still have a circumcision after leaving the hospital?
Yes, we perform circumcisions between day 7 and 28, a window that allows families time for recovery from birth, early bonding, and establishment of breastfeeding while avoiding the need to make a decision in the immediate post-delivery period. Many families value having additional time and support before proceeding with the procedure. Learn more about circumcision timing.
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