Neonatal Circumcision Research Articles

Glanuloplasty with Oral Mucosa Graft following Total Glans Penis Amputation.

This is a report on the technique of neoglans reconstruction in a patient with amputated glans penis following guillotine neonatal circumcision. A 4 cm long and 2 cm wide lower lip oral mucosa graft was harvested and used to graft the distal 2 cm of the corporal bodies after 2 cm of the distal penile skin had been excised. One edge of the lower lip oral mucosa graft was anastomosed to the urethral margins distally and proximally to the skin. At six months of followup, patient had both satisfactory cosmetic and functional outcomes.

Pre-emptive Penile Ring Block With Sucrose Analgesia Reduces Pain Response to Neonatal Circumcision

To compare retrospective use of oral sucrose (SUC) vs oral sucrose plus lidocaine ring block (SUC + RB) in the management of pain during neonatal circumcision. A retrospective review of medical records of newborns circumcised using the "Neonatal Infant Pain Scale" was done. With regard to pain, the SUC group had a significantly greater percentage of those with pain than the SUC + RB group at 1 minute (77.7% vs 69.4%; P = .01) and 5 minutes (65.7% vs 55.7%; P = .004). There was no significant pain difference at 30 minutes. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, those in the SUC group had significantly greater odds for pain at 1 minute than those in the SUC + RB group (odds ratio 1.45, 95% confidence interval 1.04-2.02; P = .03). No significant difference was noted at 5 minutes. Each of the SUC and SUC + RB groups had significant decreases in pain percentages at 5 minutes and 30 minutes (P <.001). In addition, post-term gestational age had significantly greater odds for pain at 5 minutes (odds ratio 3.67, 95% confidence interval 1.51-8.93; P = .004). We found that sucrose use alone as compared with sucrose and ring block combined had greater odds for pain at 1 minute but not at 5 minutes. In addition, those with post-term gestational age had greater odds for pain at 5 minutes as compared with those with regular gestational age. We recommend for hospital-based circumcision using clamps, the use of combined sucrose and ring block for increased analgesia. In addition, for post-term neonates, we recommend greater focus on pain levels, including considering higher dosages of pain medications.

Author's Reply

Author's Reply

Does male circumcision in neonates decrease morbidity?

Does male circumcision in neonates decrease morbidity?

Neonatal Circumcision: Is Feeding Behavior Altered?

The effect of circumcision on feeding behavior in the newborn period is unknown. We hypothesized that circumcision would not have a significant effect on newborn feeding. This prospective study analyzed the effect of circumcision on neonatal feeding behavior. Inclusion criteria were healthy male infants WHO were exclusively bottle-fed and underwent a circumcision before discharge from the newborn nursery. We collected data (N = 42) on gestational age, birth weight, Apgar scores, maternal age, gravid status, anesthesia used during delivery, analgesia used after circumcision, time of circumcision, and volume and frequency of feeding before and after circumcision. Data were analyzed by using paired t tests, multivariable regression analysis, and analysis of variance (with SPSS version 18). Significance was P < .05 (2-tailed α). Descriptive statistics for the entire group (N = 42) are as follows: mean ± SD gestational age: 38.7 ± 1.2 weeks; mean birth weight: 3.3 ± 0.4 kg; maternal age: 26.7 ± 6.3 years; baseline feeding (mean of first 2 feedings before circumcision): 24.5 ± 9.9 mL; mean first feeding after circumcision: 21.7 ± 11.9 mL; and mean second feeding: 26.7 ± 13.5 mL. Forty-eight percent of patients increased their feeding volume after circumcision compared with baseline, and 52% of patients decreased their feeding volume, which persisted with the second feeding. There was no statistical difference between the baseline and first feeding (P = .11) or second feeding (P = .22). Our data suggest that circumcision does not alter feeding after circumcision. This information will be useful in counseling families regarding circumcision in the newborn period.

Allocation of Healthcare Dollars: Analysis of Nonneonatal Circumcisions in Florida

Circumcision remains a controversial operation. Most procedures are performed in the neonatal period and avoid general anesthesia. Legislation driven by policy statements from the American Academy of Pediatrics led to significant changes in circumcisions in Florida with a shift to nonneonatal procedures as a result of costs. We sought to study the prevalence and financial implications of nonneonatal circumcisions in Florida. A retrospective population study was performed using the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration outpatient procedure database. We queried for patients 0 to 17 years of age undergoing circumcision between 2003 and 2008. Demographics, charges, and insurance status were analyzed. From 2003 to 2008, 31,741 outpatient circumcisions were performed. Publicly funded circumcisions accounted for 17,537 charging the state $6,263 on average for each circumcision at an expense of $111.8 million for the 5-year time period analyzed. Publicly funded circumcision procedures increased more than sixfold (P < 0.0001) than those covered by private insurance. Black circumcision procedures increased 77.3 per cent, whereas white circumcisions increased 28.7 per cent. There has been a significant increase in the number of nonneonatal circumcisions performed. This has resulted in an increase in economic health care. Public funding of neonatal circumcision could result in significant cost savings and avoid potential complications of general anesthesia.

Are Physicians Performing Neonatal Circumcisions Well Trained?

Notwithstanding the recommendations from the Canadian Pediatric Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics on the indications for neonatal circumcision, this procedure is still common in North America and throughout the world. Our purpose is not to argue whether this procedure should be done, but rather to examine who is doing it, their training, how it is performed and how can we prevent unsatisfactory results and complications. The objective is to identify what fields of knowledge require improvement and then design a teaching module to improve the outcomes of neonatal circumcision. A 19-question cross-sectional survey, including a visual identification item, was submitted to 87 physicians who perform neonatal circumcisions in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. To improve our response rate, study subjects were contacted in a variety of ways, including mail and fax and telephone. Once the survey was completed, we produced a surgical technique training video on using the Gomco clamp and the Plastibell techiques. A knowledge dissemination workshop was held with survey participants to discuss contraindications and the use of anesthesia and management of complications of neonatal circumcision and to evaluate the surgical technique training video. A 6-month follow-up questionnaire was completed to determine the impact of the teaching course on participants' daily practice. In total, we received 54 responses (62% response rate). From these, 46 (85%) were family doctors and pediatricians, while the remaining 8 (15%) were pediatric general surgeons and urologists. The circumcisions were carried out with the Gomco clamp 35 (63%) and the Plastibell 21 (37%). No respondent admitted to learning the procedure through a structured training course. Of the non-surgeons, 19 (43%) learned to perform a circumcision from a non-surgeon colleague. A little over a third of the participants (17, 31%) were happy to perform a circumcision in a child born with a concealed penis, where circumcision is contraindicated. With respect to the early complications post-circumcision, 8 (100%) surgeons versus 29 (63%) non-surgeons felt comfortable dealing with bleeding (p = 0.046). In total, 7 (88%) surgeons versus 16 (35%) non-surgeons were comfortable dealing with urinary retention (p = 0.01). Also, 8 (100%) surgeons versus 24 (52%) non-surgeons were comfortable dealing with a wound dehiscence (p = 0.02). Moreover, 6 (75%) surgeons and 5 (10%) non-surgeons were comfortable managing meatal stenosis (p < 0.01). Five (63%) surgeons versus 15 (33%) non-surgeons were confident in dealing with a trapped penis post-circumcision (p = 0.24). Our survey findings indicate that most physicians performing neonatal circumcisions in our community have received informal and unstructured training. This lack of formal instruction may explain the complications and unsatisfactory results witnessed in our pediatric urology practice. Many practitioners are not aware of the contraindications to neonatal circumcision and most non-surgeons perform the procedure without being able to handle common post-surgical complications. Based on our survey findings, we planned and carried out a formal training course to address these issues.

P3.382 Post-Neonatal Pediatric Circumcision in the United States, 2010

BackgroundMale circumcision can protect against sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and urinary tract infections. The procedure is easier to perform during the neonatal period (< 28 days), with fewer complications and...

Circumcision as a Strategy to Minimize HIV Transmission

The newest data related to the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immune Disease Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic is primarily positive, but many areas of the world, especially Sub-Saharan Africa, remain disproportionately affected. Between 2005 and 2007, three large randomized trials evaluating circumcision for prevention of HIV acquisition in heterosexual African males showed a reduction in the rate of acquisition of HIV by up to 66% over 24months. Since the results of these studies were published, global health organizations have ramped up efforts to help target countries to provide male circumcision delivery services in sub-Saharan Africa. Male circumcision (MC) is cost-effective and efficacious, especially when used in combination with other prevention strategies. Available data shows good acceptability amongst target populations. Neonatal circumcision is well tolerated and more cost effective than adult male circumcision and should be included as part of MC initiatives in the future. Behavioral disinhibition and risk compensation are important factors that may mitigate the rate of risk reduction conferred by male circumcision and should be further investigated. As delivery of male circumcision services is expanded, the issues affecting the female sexual partners of the target population must be outlined and addressed. Whether or not the results of the African trials can be extrapolated to warrant expansion of MC programs to other populations is a critical area for further study.

Critiquing circumcision: in search of a new paradigm for conceptualizing genital modification

In this article, I advance two separate but related critiques of current approaches to classifying and analyzing culturally, socially, and medically motivated genital modifications: first that the widely employed categories of female circumcision and male circumcision separate these practices in gendered terms that are inconsistent with both the reality of these practices and fundamental social scientific principles, and second that the practice of neonatal male circumcision that emerged from Anglophone medical practice to become an entrenched social norm in the United States merits a critical evaluation beyond that which it has heretofore been subjected. These critiques lead me to propose an alternative approach to the conceptual classification of genital modification practices, one in which the extent of the modification, the meanings of the practice to those involved, whether it is motivated by a group or individual desire, and the developmental stage of the individual form a framework for analysis, rather than the geographically and gender-based approaches that have resulted in the profoundly ethnocentric exceptionalism that characterizes most current research, writing, and activism on the matter. The differential attention paid to male and female circumcision fails to reflect the cultural sensibilities of those whose practices are in question and creates a de facto exceptionalism by which US practices are exempted from the same scrutiny afforded by others. I address specifically the gendered approach to African circumcision practices, including the recent attention that male circumcision has received as a potential anti-HIV intervention, and I argue the need for a much more vigorously critical scholarly attention to US circumcision practices. My approach is influenced by critical medical anthropology, which frames its inquiries around a focus on the human body and which does not accept biomedical knowledge as factual a priori, but rather seeks to contextualize it within the socially and culturally relevant system of knowledge that has produced it. I draw also on the history of circumcision, campaigns for both its promulgation and elimination, and my own ethnographic work with US parents on how they make the decision whether to circumcise their newborn sons.

Complications of Neonatal Circumcision Requiring Surgical Intervention in a Developing Country

The recent scale-up in neonatal circumcision (NC) may require strategies to reduce complications. This study evaluated complications of NC requiring surgery. A prospective analysis of 64 patients with complications of NC managed by surgery between June 2006 and May 2012 at the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu was conducted. Circumcision was performed by nurse in 54 (84.4%) patients, traditional practitioner in 5 (7.8%) and doctor in 5 (7.8%), at a median age of 9 days (range: 2-21 days). Complications noticed 1 day to 7 years (mean: 7.8 months) after circumcision were glanular adhesion in 27 (42.2%) children, meatal stenosis in 14 (21.9%), urethrocutaneous fistula in 11 (17.2%), trapped penis in 5 (7.8%), implantation dermoid in 4 (6.2%) and glans amputation in 3 (4.7%). After treatment, outcome was good in 59 (92.2%) patients, whereas 5 (7.8%) had residual defect. NC may be associated with serious complications in our setting. Adequate training of providers on safe procedure may minimize complications.

Neonatal circumcision and invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the penis: a report of 3 cases and a review of the literature

Neonatal circumcision is widely considered to have a protective effect against the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in later life. We report 3 cases of squamous cell carcinoma in men who were circumcised as neonates. The 3 men, aged 49, 55 and 64 years, presented for consideration of brachytherapy. The tumour stage was T3 in 1 case and T1 in the others. The tumours were moderately differentiated in 2 cases and well differentiated in 1 case. All 3 men had a remote history of penile condylomata acuminatum 20-30 years earlier. Oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) was found in the tumour specimen in 1 case. All 3 were treated with brachytherapy to the primary tumour on the glans. In 2 cases, subsequent staging inguinal node dissection was indicated because of the grade and stage of the primary tumour. A history of remote HPV infection should increase the index of suspicion for any nonhealing penile lesion, despite a history of neonatal circumcision.

Out of step: fatal flaws in the latest AAP policy report on neonatal circumcision

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently released a policy statement and technical report on circumcision, in both of which the organisation suggests that the health benefits conferred by the surgical...

Projected Financial Impact of Noncoverage of Elective Circumcision by Louisiana Medicaid in Boys 0 to 5 Years Old

Several states, including Louisiana since 2005, no longer cover elective circumcision under Medicaid programs. The recent AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) policy statement recognizes the medical benefits of circumcision and recommends the removal of financial barriers to this procedure. Cost savings are a factor in the limitation of circumcision coverage, although to our knowledge the actual cost savings to Medicaid programs have not been reported. We analyzed the number of circumcisions performed before and after the policy change to determine an accurate cost of such procedures and whether the increased procedure expense mitigates the initial savings. We analyzed the number of neonatal and nonneonatal circumcisions in boys 0 to 5 years old to determine trends during the selected period. A cost model for each procedure was created. Neonatal procedure cost was based on professional fees. Nonneonatal procedure cost was based on professional (surgeon and anesthesia) plus facility fees. The number and cost of procedures were compared before (2002 to 2004) and after (2006 to 2010) the policy change. Linear regression was used to predict future costs. The average annual number and expense of neonatal circumcisions were significantly decreased after the policy change. There was no significant decrease in nonneonatal procedures and expense. Cost per procedure ranged from $88.34 for neonatal to $486.76 for nonneonatal circumcision. Secondary to the increasing number of more costly nonneonatal procedures, the annual expense was predicted to exceed pre-policy levels by 2015. The number of nonneonatal circumcisions is increasing and such procedures place a higher financial burden on the health care system. As a result, the financial benefits of noncoverage of elective circumcision are decreasing.

Circumcision: Perspective in a Nigerian teaching hospital

The practice and pattern of male infants circumcised is influenced by culture, religion and socio-economic classification. The debate about the benefits and risks of circumcision has made a hospital-based practice the most acceptable. The objective of this study is to evaluate the ages, indications, co-morbidity, types and methods of circumcision, usage and mode of anaesthesia and outcome of male circumcision at a tertiary health centre in Nigeria. A retrospective review of male circumcision in a paediatric surgery unit was done from January 2002 to December 2007. The data was analysed using SPSS software version 15. There were 438 boys with age ranged between 6 days and 10 years (median 28 days, mean 53.6 days standard deviation 74.2). Neonatal circumcision (<29 days) was 201 (46%) and 318 (72.6%) of the children were circumcised by the 3 rd month of live. Religion or tradition were the major indicators in 384 (87.7%) patients while phimosis 38 (8.7%), paraphimosis 4 (1%), redundant post circumcision skin 10 (2.3%) and defective prepuce in 2 (0.5%) were other indications. Plastibel™ (PD) was used in 214 (48.9%), classical circumcision 194 (44.2%), guillotine technique (GT) and Gomco™ 10 (2.3%) cases each while 10 (2.3%) had a refashioning/re-excision post previous circumcision. There was an increase in use of PD, drop in the use of GT; and increase in the number of circumcision done over the years. Only 39.7% had anaesthesia administered and complication rate was 6.7%. Neonatal circumcision was highest in the hospital-based circumcision practice, which allowed the expected ideals in the use of devices in a tertiary health centre. However, the low rate of anaesthetic use is unacceptable.

Bloodless, sutureless circumcision

W e present our experience of sutureless and bloodless elective circumcision in neonates and infants with Gomco clamp. From March 2008 to May 2011, 200 babies with age ranging from 2 weeks to 7 months underwent Gomco circumcision. All patients were given chlorohydrate 50 mg/kg, paracetamol suppository 15 mg/kg, and local anesthesia. Procedure was done in minor operation theatre (OT) and babies were observed for 1 h in recovery room before discharging them home. Two of our patients (1%) required immediate suturing on table after Gomco clamp was removed, five patients (2.5%) were shifted back from the recovery room to minor OT for suture repair and eight patients (4%) required reinforcement of primary dressing to control the minor ooze. There was no other complication. Cosmesis was to the satisfaction of the surgeon as well as the parents. Gomco clamp is a bloodless, sutureless, simple, and safe method of circumcision in newborns and infants. It is cost-effective and can be performed under local anesthesia and sedation with excellent cosmetic results.

A Controlled Trial of Three Methods for Neonatal Circumcision in Lusaka, Zambia

Neonatal male circumcision (NMC) is not routinely practiced in Zambia, but it is a promising long-term HIV prevention strategy. We studied the feasibility and safety of three different NMC methods. We enrolled healthy newborns in a controlled trial of the Mogen, Gomco, and Plastibell devices. Doctors, nurses, and clinical officers were trained to perform Mogen, Gomco, and Plastibell techniques. Each provider performed at least 10 circumcisions using each device. Neonates were reviewed at 1 and 6 weeks after circumcision for adverse events. Between October 2009 and March 2011, 17 providers (5 physicians, 9 nurse midwives, and 3 clinical officers) without previous NMC experience were trained, and 640 circumcisions were performed. The median infant birth weight was 3.2 kg (interquartile range: 2.9-3.5 kg), and median age at the time of procedure was 11 days (interquartile range: 7-18 days); 149 babies (23.3%) were exposed to HIV. The overall adverse event rate was 4.9% (n = 31/630), and the moderate-severe adverse event rate was 4.1% (n = 26/630). Rates did not significantly differ by method. Most providers (65%) preferred Mogen clamp over Gomco and Plastibell. Doctors, nurses, and clinical officers can be trained to safely provide NMC in a programmatic setting. The 3 studied techniques had comparable safety profiles. Mogen clamp was the preferred device for most providers.

A Controlled Trial of Three Methods for Neonatal Circumcision in Lusaka, Zambia

A Controlled Trial of Three Methods for Neonatal Circumcision in Lusaka, Zambia

Iatrogenic Penile Glans Amputation: Major Novel Reconstructive Procedure

Circumcision is a very common urological practice. Even though it is relatively safe, it is not a complication-free procedure. We describe a patient that underwent a neonatal circumcision complicated by iatrogenic complete glans amputation. Reconstructive repair of a neoglans using a modified traditional method was used. Postoperative followup to 90 days is illustrated. Despite being a simple procedure, circumcision in unprofessional hands can have major complication impacting the emotional and sexual life of patients. Surgical reconstruction is possible with varying satisfactory results.

Effectiveness of a Simulated Training Model for Procedural Skill Demonstration in Neonatal Circumcision

Although existing evidence is insufficient to recommend routine neonatal male circumcision, it is a procedure commonly performed in the United States. There are no commercially available infant penile models available for circumcision training. We improved the design of a low-fidelity penile model constructed of cocktail wieners following the one by Brill and Wallace (Fam Med 2007;39:241-243) and attached it to a high-fidelity infant simulator. Providing simulated movement and crying similar to what is encountered in routine newborn circumcisions create a more realistic training scenario.The study objectives were to (1) evaluate the educational experience of a simulated skill training program as perceived by participants based on a comparison scale and (2) evaluate the fidelity of the simulated model. Standardized workshops were held for family medicine (n = 23) and obstetrics/gynecology (n = 6) residents (n = 29). Residents evaluated the realism of the simulation, the realistic adequacy of the model, and the overall educational effectiveness of the workshop. Using a Likert scale where 1 was the lowest and 4 was the highest, the average participant ratings were 3.96 for educational experience and improved medical knowledge and 3.89 for improved technical ability for both Mogen and Gomco clamps. The model was evaluated for anatomic landmarks (3.7), anesthesia administration (3.9), dorsal crush and slit (3.9), and breaking adhesions (3.5). Qualitative comments for perceived fidelity of the model were summarized. This project demonstrated successful development of a low-cost, easy-to-construct penile model combined with a high-fidelity infant simulator that, according to the responses of the participants in this study, enhances the simulated neonatal circumcision training. A tutorial for model construction and investigator-developed skill assessment checklists for Gomco and Mogen techniques are included in this technical report.