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Updated: Jul 19, 2025
Microscopic Replantation of Penile Glans Amputation Due to Circumcision
Published on: June 3, 2022
Penile amputation after neonatal circumcision: a case report
Omar Adam Sheikh1, Shukri Said Mohamed2, Ahmet Sarac3
1Department of Basic Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Somali National University.
Insights
Ritual circumcision using a cautery device resulted in complete penile amputation in a 7-day-old infant due to an inexperienced practitioner. This rare complication highlights the importance of skilled performance in circumcision procedures to prevent severe outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Medical Complications
Background:
- Circumcision is a common surgical procedure worldwide, often performed for religious and non-therapeutic reasons.
- While generally safe, complications such as penile amputation are extremely rare.
- Previous literature indicates self-harm as the most common cause of penile amputation, with iatrogenic causes being less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of complete penile amputation following ritual circumcision in an infant.
- To emphasize the critical role of practitioner experience in preventing severe complications during circumcision.
- To discuss the management and prognosis of such a severe iatrogenic injury.
Main Methods:
- A case presentation of a 7-day-old male infant undergoing ritual circumcision with a cautery device.
- Surgical intervention included debridement of necrotic tissue.
- Post-operative management involved catheter insertion to prevent urethral stenosis.
Main Results:
- The infant experienced discoloration and necrosis of the glans and penis following circumcision.
- Complete penile amputation occurred, necessitating surgical debridement.
- Catheterization was performed to prevent urethral stenosis, with the entire penis being lost.
Conclusions:
- Complete penile amputation is a rare but devastating complication of infant circumcision, particularly when performed by inexperienced practitioners.
- Proper technique and experienced operators are crucial to minimize risks associated with circumcision.
- This case underscores the need for vigilance and skilled execution in all surgical procedures, even common ones.
Abstract:
In children, one of the most common surgical procedures worldwide is circumcision, which has strong religious implications and is frequently performed for nontherapeutic reasons. Circumcision is typically associated with old customs. Complete penile amputation is extremely uncommon, and the prognosis is little understood.
Case Presentation:
A 7-day-old male term baby was circumcised with a cauter by an unexperienced practitioner, and the patient was admitted to the department of pediatric surgery. Both the glans and the body had become discolored and necrotic. The patient was taken into the theater and given general anesthesia. The authors removed the debridement and inserted a catheter into the urethra to prevent urethral stenosis.
Discussion:
The procedure of circumcision has several medical benefits and is widely performed for religious, cultural, and medical reasons. It is generally agreed that circumcision prevents against sexually transmitted diseases, penile and cervical cancer in adults, as well as urinary tract infections in children.Partial or complete penile amputation injuries are rare and frequently the result of psychotic self-harm. Operators must correctly conduct the circumcision in order to prevent the potential complications that can happen when the procedure is performed out by untrained hands.The most common cause of penile amputation injuries, whether partial or total, is psychotic self-harm. Operators must carry out the procedure carefully to prevent the potential complications that can happen when circumcision is performed by untrained hands.
Conclusion:
The authors present here a case of a 7-day-old boy who had ritual circumcision with a cauter complicated by an entire penile amputation, which was treated with the insertion of a catheter to prevent the closure of the urethra. The patient reported his penis was circumcised with cautery one day later the glans and the entire penis became discolored and necrosis, unfortunately, the entire penis was lost with the overlying skin.
