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Is neonatal circumcision judicious?
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center - Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. drmachmouchi@yahoo.com
Insights
Male circumcision at 5 months of age leads to fewer serious complications compared to neonatal circumcision. This study suggests delaying the procedure to reduce risks and improve outcomes for infant male circumcision.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
Background:
- Male circumcision is a common procedure performed on infants worldwide.
- The timing of circumcision and its associated complication rates are areas of ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the outcomes of circumcision performed in the early neonatal period versus at 5 months of age.
- To evaluate complication rates associated with different circumcision methods in infants.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study was conducted with 350 male infants.
- Infants were divided into two groups: early neonatal circumcision (1-4 days) and late circumcision (5 months).
- Circumcision was performed using a bone cutter, Gomco clamp, or Plastibell device.
Main Results:
- Complications were more frequent and severe in the early neonatal circumcision group.
- Observed complications included meatal deformities, meatal stenosis, adhesions, and infection.
- The Plastibell device was used in the majority of cases across both groups.
Conclusions:
- Circumcision at 5 months of age resulted in significantly fewer serious complications than neonatal circumcision.
- The method of circumcision did not alter the finding that later circumcision is safer.
- Neonatal circumcision is not recommended due to higher complication rates.
Background:
Circumcision is the most frequently performed procedure in male children.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to compare the outcome of circumcision performed in the early neonatal period and circumcision performed at 5 months of age. Setting of the study was the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Methods:
The study was performed as a prospective cohort study.
Results:
A total of 350 infants were enrolled. 250 neonates were circumcised at the age of 1 to 4 days (early group) and 100 infants underwent circumcision at the age of 5 months (late group). A bone cutter was used for 50 neonates, a Gomco clamp in another 50 neonates, and a Plastibell in the remaining 250 cases (150 in the early group and 100 in the late group). Complications including meatal deformities, meatal stenosis, adhesions and infection were more frequent and more significant in the neonatal circumcision group.
Conclusions:
From our study, circumcision at 5 months results in significantly fewer serious complications than circumcision in the neonatal period, irrespective of the method used. Therefore, neonatal circumcision should not be recommended.
