Circumcision is one of the most frequent surgical procedures in children. Because of greater immigration to Spain, health professionals need to know how to interpret new health demands. One of the most important of these is ritual circumcision. Moreover, in the last few years scientific data showing the potential health benefits of circumcision have been published. The aim of this study was to identify the therapeutic indications of this procedure, to clarify the origins of its cultural and religious bases and, finally, to review the scientific evidence to date on its possible benefits.