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A controlled trial of Gomco versus Plastibell for neonatal circumcisions in Saudi Arabia
1Department of Surgery Faculty of Medicine in Umm Al-Qura University Faculty of Medicine, KSA, P.O.box 715, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Gomco circumcision is safer for infants under six months, showing fewer complications than the Plastibell method. This study compared complication rates for Gomco versus Plastibell circumcision in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Neonatal Care
Background:
- Gomco and Plastibell devices are common methods for infant circumcision.
- Assessing complications in infants up to six months is crucial for safe procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the complication incidence of Gomco and Plastibell circumcision methods in infants younger than six months.
Main Methods:
- A prospective randomized study involving 805 infants under six months.
- Infants were randomized into Plastibell (Group P) and Gomco (Group G) circumcision groups.
- Statistical analysis included Chi-square and independent sample t-tests (P<0.05 significance).
Main Results:
- The Plastibell method had significantly lower bleeding volumes compared to the Gomco method (P<0.001).
- However, the Plastibell device was associated with a higher incidence of complications, including infection, edema, migration, and redundant skin (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Gomco circumcision is identified as the safer method.
- The Gomco method demonstrates a lower rate of infant circumcision complications.
Background:
Gomco or Plastibell devices are the most widely used method for circumcision. The present work was aimed to assess the incidence of complications in infants of ages up to six months in two used methods.
Methods:
It was a prospective randomized study conducted at a pediatric surgery clinic in 3 hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Eight hundred and five children, their ages were less than 6 months were enrolled for the present work. Children were randomized into two groups: Groups P and G using Plastibell and Gomco Circumcision methods, respectively. Statistical analysis of data was performed by using SPSS Version 17. Chi-square test and independent sample t-test was applied to compare both qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively. P-value was considered as significant difference at <0.05.
Results:
Seven hundred eighty three children were were enrolled in this investigation. Plastibell method was concomitant with low volume of bleeding in comparison with Gomco method (P < 0.001). Incidence of complications including infection, penile edema, proximal migration and redundant skin was higher in Plastibell device method (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Gomco circumcision is the safer method and is accompanied with lowest rate of complication.

