Chapter 7 - Prevalence of Male Circumcision Complications

Abstract

As with any surgical procedure, circumcision can result in complications, and the most common early (intra-operative) complications tend to be minor and treatable, such as minor bleeding, swelling. However, serious complications may occur during or immediately after the procedure, including death from excess bleeding, severe urethral injuries and complete or partial amputation of the entire penis or the glans. Late postoperative complications include formation of a skin bridge between the penile shaft and the glans, infection, urinary retention, meatal ulcer, fistulas and other rare complications. Loss of penile sensitivity, sexual dysfunction and psychic impaction are considered as remote complications by some authors. Prevalence of reported complications of male circumcision ranged from 0% to 50.1%, and late complications of 7.39% prevalence were reported.