Extensive skin bridging with glans epithelium replacement by penile shaft skin following newborn circumcision

Extensive skin bridging with replacement of glans epithelium by shaft skin is an unusual complication of newborn circumcision not previously described.

Patients with extensive skin bridges and replacement of at least 50% of glans epithelium with shaft skin underwent lysis of the bridges and excision of displaced skin. Fibrin glue was used to coat the raw glans surface, and urinary diversion was provided for 1 week.

Six boys aged 2-15 years underwent the procedure. In each the glans healed with a smooth, cosmetically normal appearance. There were no complications.

Skin bridges after newborn circumcision can be associated with unsightly replacement of normal glans epithelium by shaft skin. Correction involves division of the skin bridges and excision of all abnormal skin with a coating of fibrin glue over the raw surface. Glans epithelium subsequently recovers the glans, restoring a normal appearance.