Staplers Circumcision

Choosing how to be circumcised is a personal decision, and the stapler method has become one of the most popular modern options for adults. Using a single-use device such as the CircCurer or ZSR stapler, it removes the foreskin and seals the wound in one quick motion — no scalpel and no stitches. On this page we explain exactly what stapler circumcision is, how it’s performed, who it suits, the benefits and risks, how it compares with glue and stitches, recovery, cost, and the questions patients most often ask.

Stapler circumcision is a modern, stitch-free way to remove the foreskin. A single-use surgical stapler cuts the foreskin and seals the edges in one motion, so the procedure takes just 5–10 minutes under local anaesthetic and bleeds very little. We have offered stapler circumcision for adults at our London clinic since 2019, and our urologists are specifically trained on the CircCurer and ZSR stapler devices.

Cost from £780 — including a same-day consultation. Clinics in London (Leyton & South Woodford) and Cambridge.

What is stapler circumcision?

Stapler circumcision (also called ZSR circumcision, or by the device name, a disposable circumcision suture device / anastomat) is a circumcision technique that replaces the surgeon’s scalpel and stitches with a purpose-built mechanical stapler.

The device is a sterile, single-use instrument with two parts:

• An inner bell that sits over the head of the penis (the glans) to protect it.
• An outer ring containing a circular blade and a ring of skin staples.

Once the foreskin is positioned, the stapler is fired. In a single action it cuts the excess foreskin and closes the wound with a neat, even circle of staples — no separate suturing required. Because the amount of foreskin removed is set by the device, the result is consistent and the cut edge is uniform.

A little background: the circular-stapler technique was developed to make circumcision faster, lower-bleeding and easier to standardise — qualities that led to its wide adoption internationally, including in large-scale male-circumcision programmes. Today several refined devices exist; at our clinic we use the CircCurer (LangHe) and ZSR staplers, both designed for adult use under local anaesthetic.

Reasons for circumcision — when the stapler method helps

Men and older boys choose circumcision for medical, hygiene, religious or personal reasons. The stapler method can be a good option in many of these cases, including:

• Phimosis — a tight foreskin that cannot be pulled back comfortably.
• Recurrent balanitis or balanoposthitis — repeated inflammation of the glans and/or foreskin.
• Paraphimosis — where a retracted foreskin cannot return to its normal position (once any acute episode is resolved).
• Recurrent infections or hygiene difficulties under the foreskin.
• Religious or cultural circumcision for adults.
• Personal or cosmetic preference for being circumcised.

Where BXO (cracked foreskin / Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans) has caused significant scarring, we assess carefully — extensive BXO is one situation where we may advise a different technique (see below).

How the procedure works, step by step

For adults and boys aged 16 and over, the procedure follows these steps:

1. We administer a local anaesthetic to the base and shaft of the penis (a dorsal nerve and ring block), then gently retract the foreskin to confirm the technique is suitable.
2. If we find scarring from BXO or another condition that makes the stapler unsuitable, we will discuss an alternative method with you.
3. We position the bell of the stapler inside the foreskin, over the glans.
4. With the device correctly placed, we fire it — cutting the foreskin and applying the staples at the same time.
5. We check the wound, achieve haemostasis, and apply a compression bandage.
6. Where indicated, a frenuloplasty (release of a tight frenulum) is performed at the same time with stitches.

The whole procedure is typically complete in 5–10 minutes.

Before the procedure — what to expect

• Same-day consultation: we examine you, confirm suitability, explain the method, and answer your questions before anything goes ahead.
• Informed consent: you’ll be given full information about benefits, risks and aftercare, and asked to consent.
• On the day: wear comfortable, loose clothing. You can eat normally — this is a local-anaesthetic procedure, so no general-anaesthetic fasting is required. Arrange to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Benefits of stapler (ZSR) circumcision

Compared with conventional circumcision using stitches, patients choosing the stapler method generally experience:

• Shorter procedure time — minutes rather than half an hour.
• Minimal blood loss, because the device cuts and seals simultaneously.
• Reduced pain during and after the procedure.
• Less swelling of the wound afterwards.
• A uniform, consistent cosmetic result with an even cut edge.

Please note that surface wound healing can take longer than with glue circumcision, and in a small number of cases a few residual staples may need to be removed by us rather than coming away on their own.

Stapler vs. glue vs. stitches — how to choose

There is no single “best” method; the right choice depends on your anatomy, your priorities, and clinical suitability. We offer all three so we can recommend what genuinely suits you.

	Stapler (ZSR / CircCurer)	Glue	Stitches (conventional)
How it closes	Metal skin staples	Tissue adhesive	Dissolvable sutures
Procedure time	5–10 minutes	~15–20 minutes	~20–40 minutes
Bleeding	Minimal	Minimal	Low–moderate
Stitch-free?	Yes	Yes	No
Cosmetic result	Uniform, consistent	Natural, neat	Depends on surgeon; most customisable
Style customisation	Limited	Good	Most flexible (high/low, tight/loose)
Surface healing	4–6 weeks	Often fastest	4–6 weeks
From (our pricing)	£780	£700	£625

A short frenulum, extensive adhesions, significant BXO scarring, or a strong preference for a specific circumcision style are all reasons we may steer you toward glue or stitches instead. (Laser circumcision is another technique you may read about; it is offered at some clinics but is not part of our service — at consultation we’ll explain why we prefer the methods above for adult patients.)

See full circumcision pricing or read about adult circumcision generally.

Who is stapler circumcision not suitable for?

The stapler is an excellent option for most adults, but it cannot be tailored to every situation. We may recommend an alternative if you have:

• A short frenulum (frenulum breve) that needs separate plastic repair.
• Extensive adhesions between the foreskin and glans.
• Significant scarring from BXO / cracked foreskin.
• A buried or webbed penis, or other anatomy that affects device fit.
• A clear preference for a specific circumcision style the stapler can’t reproduce.

We assess all of this during your same-day consultation before any procedure goes ahead.

Anaesthesia and pain relief

The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, injected at the base and around the shaft of the penis. This provides safe, effective pain relief throughout and keeps you comfortable for several hours afterwards. You stay awake; there is no general anaesthetic and no overnight stay.

Risks and complications

Stapler circumcision is safe in trained hands, but as with any procedure there are risks. These can include bleeding, infection, scarring, inadequate skin removal, the need for a redo operation, changes in sensation, and scar pain.

The complication most specific to this method is residual staples: most staples come away as the wound heals, but a few can occasionally need removing so they aren’t buried in the skin. Rarely, a device malfunction means we complete the circumcision with conventional stitches instead. We talk through all of this with you beforehand as part of obtaining your informed consent.

Recovery and healing

Recovery from a stapler circumcision usually takes a little longer than from a glue circumcision. To heal smoothly:

• Avoid swimming, exercise and heavy lifting for 2–3 weeks.
• Expect full recovery in about 4–6 weeks.
• Some men notice glans oversensitivity at first; this settles over a few months.

About the staples: the staples begin to loosen from around 10–14 days, and most then come away naturally over the following weeks, with the majority gone by 4–6 weeks. If any remain firm at 10–14 days you can gently ease them out with clean tweezers or a cotton bud, and you should contact us if any staples have not come away after 4 weeks so we can remove them for you.

Wound care:

• Clean the wound with an antiseptic solution (e.g. Savlon) on a cotton swab up to four times a day.
• Apply Fucidin cream to the wound to help prevent infection.
• Keep the wound dry for the first 5 days.
• Empty your bladder before bed to reduce the effect of night-time erections on the wound.
• Sleep on your side or back, knees drawn up.
• Snug underwear can help limit movement and rubbing.

To support healing (our clinic’s recommendations):

• A regular 10-day course of vitamin C.
• Once the staples are gone, apply Activon medicated honey three times daily for 10 days.
• After 3 weeks, you can use vitamin E cream, Mederma gel or bio-oil on the scar.

You’ll also receive our written aftercare guidance, and we’re available if anything concerns you.

What the evidence shows

Clinical trials and meta-analyses comparing stapler circumcision with conventional circumcision consistently report that the stapler method is significantly faster (mean operative time of roughly 5–10 minutes versus 20–35 minutes for conventional surgery), with less blood loss, lower pain scores, and comparable or higher patient satisfaction with the cosmetic result. The recognised trade-offs are higher device cost and the occasional need to remove residual staples. Overall, the technique is well established and well tolerated.

Get our urologist’s advice

If you’re considering adult circumcision, ZSR circumcision, or want to know whether the stapler method is right for you, our specialists offer personalised, professional advice. Our care is backed by 30 years of experience, GMC-registered NHS consultant urologists, and a CQC-registered setting.