Comparison of a CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Laser and Tissue Glue with Conventional Surgical Techniques in Circumcision

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) laser application in circumcision, for cutting and coagulation, has been reported to have excellent results. Also, tissue glue has been reported to have advantages over sutures for approximation of wound edges. Most previous studies focused on comparisons between CO2 laser and scalpel, or between tissue glue and sutures. This study prospectively compared the results and complications CO2 laser and tissue glue, with standard surgical techniques in circumcision.

Thirty boys were prospectively divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 17) underwent circumcision by scalpel with approximation of the wound edges using chromic catgut sutures. Group 2 (n = 13) underwent circumcision with CO2 laser and approximation of the wound edges using tissue glue. Patient age, indications for surgery, operative time, wound swelling, bleeding, wound infection, local irritation, pain score, and cosmetic appearance were recorded.

Group 1 had a significantly longer operative time (P= 0.011), higher rate of local irritation (P= 0.016), and poorer cosmetic appearance (P< 0.001) than group 2. Bleeding only occurred in one patient in group 1. There were no significant differences in pain score, wound infection rate, or cost of surgery between the two groups.

CO2 laser and tissue glue have advantages over standard surgical techniques in circumcision, with a significantly shorter operative time, lower rate of local irritation, and better cosmetic appearance. The cost of surgery is similar between the two groups.