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Plastibell circumcision: a minor surgical procedure of major importance
Abdul Samad1, Tariq Wahab Khanzada, Basant Kumar
1Department of Surgery, Isra University, Hyderabad, Pakistan. abdulsamad@email.com
Insights
The Plastibell circumcision device takes longer to fall off and has a higher impaction rate in older children. This suggests the Plastibell technique is best for infants under one year.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
Background:
- Circumcision is a common procedure in male infants.
- The Plastibell device is a widely used method for circumcision.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the time for Plastibell device detachment after circumcision.
- To determine the Plastibell impaction rate across different pediatric age groups.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study design.
- Involved male infants undergoing Plastibell circumcision.
- Follow-up at 1 week and after device detachment.
Main Results:
- Average detachment time increased with age, from 8.7 days (under 3 months) to 16.8 days (over 5 years).
- Overall complication rate was 7.4%, with Plastibell impaction being the most frequent (6.1%).
- Impaction rates rose significantly with age, from 2.3% (under 3 months) to 26.9% (over 5 years).
Conclusions:
- Plastibell detachment time and impaction rates correlate positively with patient age.
- The procedure is safe and recommended for children under one year.
- Use in older children warrants careful consideration due to increased impaction risk.
Objective:
To determine the number of days taken by the Plastibell to fall off after circumcision and the Plastibell impaction rate in various age groups.
Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study of male babies who underwent circumcision using the Plastibell technique. Patients were followed up 1 week postoperatively as well as soon after the Plastibell had fallen off.
Results:
Mean age was 14.3 months and mean weight 8.2kg at time of surgery. The average time taken for the Plastibell to fall off after circumcision for babies under 3 months was 8.7 days; this period gradually increased to 16.8 days for children over 5 years of age. The overall complication rate was 7.4%. Plastibell impaction was the commonest complication, encountered after 6.1% of procedures, and was managed by cutting the Plastibell. The impaction rate was only 2.3% for babies under 3 months, but gradually increased to 26.9% for children over 5 years.
Conclusion:
The time taken by the Plastibell to fall off spontaneously as well as the Plastibell impaction rate increases gradually with age. In view of the overall safety, comfort and absence of any long-term complication, this procedure justifies recommendation in all children aged under 1 year, but its use is debatable in older children.
