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Surgically correctable morbidity from male circumcision: indications for specialist surgical care in lagos
Adesoji O Ademuyiwa1, Rufus W Ojewola, Olumide A Elebute
1Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Insights
Complications from circumcision, including urethrocutaneous fistula and penile amputation, were studied in 36 pediatric patients. Most outcomes were satisfactory, but improved health education and qualified practitioners are recommended to reduce circumcision-related morbidity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Public Health
Background:
- Circumcision is a common procedure with potential complications.
- Referrals to pediatric surgery units highlight the need to understand these complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pattern of morbidity and treatment outcomes in patients referred for circumcision complications.
- To identify common complications and assess management effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective descriptive study was conducted.
- Data from 36 patients managed at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) between 2008 and 2010 were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Urethrocutaneous fistula (42.9%) and post-circumcision bleeding (16.7%) were the most frequent complications.
- Other complications included penile amputation (11.1%) and buried penis (11.1%).
- Surgical interventions like urethroplasty and penile refashioning were performed with satisfactory outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Urethrocutaneous fistula and penile amputation are significant complications requiring specialized care.
- Satisfactory treatment outcomes were observed.
- Health education and ensuring procedures are performed by qualified staff are crucial for reducing circumcision-related morbidity.
Aim/Objective:
To determine the pattern of morbidity and outcome among patients referred to the Pediatric Surgery Unit of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) following circumcision.
Materials And Methods:
Retrospective descriptive study of all patients with complications of circumcision who were managed in LUTH between 2008 and 2010.
Results:
There were 36 patients. The age range was between 2 days and 9 years (median-3 months). Fifteen cases (42.9%) were due to urethro-cutaneous fistula while there were six cases (16.7%) of postcircumcision bleeding. There were four cases (11.1%) each of partial penile amputation and buried penis. There were also cases of meatal stenosis, penile implantation cyst and glanulo-preputial skin bridge. With respect to the treatment offered, eleven (30.6%) patients had urethroplasty for the urethro-cutaneous fistulae while seven (19.4%) patients had penile refashioning for the buried penis and penile amputation. Appropriate surgical treatments were performed for the other complications.
Conclusion:
Urethrocutaneous fistula and penile amputation are the commonest complications of circumcision for which referral is made to LUTH. Treatment outcome was satisfactory. Health education and legislation to ensure procedure is performed by qualified medical and paramedical staff may reduce the morbidity.
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