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Total penile amputation following traditional recircumcision in an infant: a case report
Suleiman Ayalew Belay1, Yoseph Teshager Aklie1, Mohammed Ahmed Beshir1
1School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, PO Box 196, Maraki Street, Gondar, Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia.
Insights
Penile amputation is a rare circumcision complication. This case involved a 7-month-old infant who underwent urethroplasty after complete penile loss during a traditional recircumcision, highlighting risks in underserved areas.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Public Health
Background:
- Circumcision complications, including penile amputation, are rare but severe.
- Such events are more common in resource-limited settings due to untrained practitioners.
- Delayed presentation and lack of viable tissue can preclude surgical reconstruction.
Abstract:
Total penile amputation is an exceptionally rare but devastating complication of circumcision, particularly when performed by untrained practitioners in resource-limited settings. We report the case of a 7-month-old male infant who presented 5 days after sustaining complete penile amputation during a traditional recircumcision. The initial procedure was conducted 1 month earlier, and the recircumcision was prompted by urinary difficulty, leading to complete penile loss at the penoscrotal junction. Examination revealed an exposed urethral stump without visible meatus. Due to delayed presentation and absence of viable tissue, replantation was not feasible. Urethroplasty with an 8 French nasogastric tube was performed, and the postoperative course was uneventful. The child resumed normal urination, with no complications at follow-up. This case highlights the serious risks of nonmedical circumcision in underserved areas and emphasizes the urgent need for regulation, community education, and access to trained surgical care and follow-up.
