Circumcision--criticism of the routine

Circumcision is one of the most frequent operative procedures done in males. About 120 circumcisions are performed every 5 minutes over the world [14]. Three different reasons lead to circumcision: 1) Medical reasons in present of a pathologic phimosis. 2) Circumcisions done due to religious, social or cultural rea-reasons. 3) Finally in many countries circumcision is performed as "routine-circumcision" in the newborn period. While in the United States the number of routine-circumcisions decreases (about 60% of all male newborns) South-Korea has a rate near to 100%. Even with no religious or cultural background in Germany circumcision often is performed without scrutinizing medical indication. Circumcision is regarded as an procedure with no complications and no disadvantage for the patient. In general circumcision has no medical benefit neither in decreasing the incidence of urinary tract infections nor of sexual transmitted diseases nor of neoplasias. Medical indication for circumcision is given in present of pathologic phimosis in 4% of all males. Postoperative complications range up to 2% and "circumcision is the amputation of the prepuce from the rest of the penis, resulting in permanent alteration of the anatomy, histology and function of the penis...". There are many reports about having discomfort and disadvantages after circumcision as well to the males as to the sexual partners. This challenge the legality of neonatal involuntary circumcision because legality is based on saving the children's best interests.     

Conservative therapy of phimosis

Worldwide in about ten percent of boys general circumcision is performed. The motivations are religious or other rites and ethnic customs, but no scientific medical indication exist for this intervention, even not the small group with inborn phimosis. For these until now only the surgical way is given by circumcision. In 56 cases of boys before puberty with severe phimosis 53 could be completely cured by combined parenteral HCG and local Corticoid treatment within 4-6 weeks. The longtime follow up study did not show any later side effect. The therapeutic scheme is given.     

The response of phimosis to local steroid application

The effectiveness of topical steroid application in relieving phimosis was studied in 63 boys treated with local application of steroid ointment to the foreskin. Betamethasone valerate 0.05% (42 patients), hydrocortisone 1% (18 patients), or hydrocortisone 2% (3 patients) was applied three times daily for 4 weeks. Thirty-seven of the patients treated with 0.05% betamethasone valerate ointment (half-strength Betnovate) showed an initial improvement and circumcision was performed on 5 non-responders. Six patients showed initial improvement but later redeveloped phimosis: they were given a further course of treatment, resulting in 2 satisfactory responses and 4 failures requiring circumcision. Two patients using 2% hydrocortisone and 16 using 1% hydrocortisone ointment showed improvement, but 2 of the latter group ultimately required circumcision. Overall, a permanent improvement was achieved in 51 of the 63 patients, with the ability to retract the foreskin after one or more treatments. The remaining 12 boys required circumcision. Local application of steroid ointment to the foreskin results in resolution of phimosis in the majority of cases, but if the foreskin has a circumferential white scar, it is slightly less likely to respond. Following cessation of steriods, phimosis redevelops in a proportion of patients. Correspondence to: S. W. Beasley     

Is half strength of 0.05 % betamethasone valerate cream still effective in the treatment of phimosis in young children?

Introduction

0.05 % betamethasone valerate cream is generally used as an alternative to circumcision for the treatment of phimosis in boys. The aim of this study is to determine whether the half-strength formula (0.025 %) of betamethasone is as effective as 0.05 % betamethasone.

Method

All boys with phimosis seen at our institution between 2010 and 2012, whose parents complained that their children had problems of micturition, i.e., crying and ballooning, and sought for some instructions or treatments, were instructed to apply betamethasone valerate cream. Two strengths, 0.05 and 0.025 %, were randomly applied to each patient twice a day for 2 months. The patients whose parents were not willing to the conservative treatment underwent circumcision.

Results

Of the 47 patients, 23 boys with an average age of 16.65 ± 4.052 months (range 11–24 months) were given 0.025 % betamethasone cream, whereas the remaining 24 boys in control group with an average age of 18.42 ± 5.030 months (range 10–24 months) were instructed to apply with 0.05 % betamethasone valerate cream. Using unpaired t test, the age in both groups were comparable (p = 0.1932). There was a decrease in phimosis grade by the end of the therapeutic course in both groups. Further analysis using Mann–Whitney test revealed that the phimosis grade in the half-strength group (0.025 % strength) was significantly lower to the phimosis grade in the control (0.05 % betamethasone) group (p = 0.0003). There was no diversion from steroid application to circumcision or any side effects in the both groups.

Conclusions

0.025 % betamethasone valerate cream produced a clinical improvement. However, the half-strength formula was not effective as the conventional formula of 0.05 % betamethasone valerate cream.     

Circumcision for phimosis--indications and results

A follow-up study including all boys (n = 117) operated with circumcision for phimosis during 1976 was performed. Most patients were operated on an outpatient basis. Early complications like bleeding or infection were few and mild. In 13 cases there was a postoperative stricture of the urethral orifice which had to be widened. Five patients had complaints about the cosmetic result. Eight boys expressed shyness and unwillingness to undress in school gym. In no instance were there any signs of a more serious psychological disorder. The operative indications are discussed and it is concluded that worried parents of boys with phimosis can be safely advised to have their boys circumcised if the prepuce is scarred or there has been recurrent balanitis, or if the boy has reached school age and the foreskin is still unretractable.     

Circumcision for Phimosis–Indications and Results

ABSTRACT. A follow-up study including all boys ( n = 117) operated with circumcision for phimosis during 1976 was performed. Most patients were operated on an outpatient basis. Early complications like bleeding or infection were few and mild. In 13 cases there was a postoperative stricture of the urethral orifice which had to be widened. Five patients had complaints about the cosmetic result. Eight boys expressed shyness and unwillingness to undress in school-gym. In no instance were there any signs of a more serious psychological disorder. The operative indications are discussed and it is concluded that worried parents of boys with phimosis can be safely advised to have their boys circumcised if the prepuce is scarred or there has been recurrent balanitis, or if the boy has reached school age and the foreskin is still nnretractable.     

A study of clinical opinion and practice regarding circumcision.

AIM: To establish clinical opinion regarding appropriate indications for circumcision and to examine actual clinical practice. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all NHS hospital consultants in the Yorkshire region of the UK identified as having a role to play in the management of boys (under 16 years of age) requiring circumcision. Retrospective data on actual clinical practice during a three month study period were also collected via a simple proforma. RESULTS: Of 153 questionnaires sent, 64 were returned. Responses revealed varying opinions regarding appropriate indications for circumcision within each consultant group, and between paediatricians and surgeons. Surgeons were generally more inclined to recommend circumcision for each of the indications listed in the questionnaire. Analysis of clinical practice revealed that almost two thirds of procedures were carried out for phimosis, and nearly half of these children were under the age of 5 years. CONCLUSION: There are differences in the clinical opinions of surgeons and paediatricians on what constitutes an appropriate indication for circumcision. Paediatricians' opinions are generally more in line with current evidence than those of surgeons, possibly resulting in many unnecessary circumcisions.     

Preputial adhesions — A misunderstood entity

Objective

To assess the trends and outcomes in referrals of ‘phimosis for circumcision’ to a tertiary care pediatric surgical department.

Methods

This is a prospective study of 100 consecutive children of presumed phimosis referred for circumcision. They were assessed and classified by the senior author as having either preputial adhesions or phimosis. The patients in the former group underwent outpatient preputial adhesiolysis while those in the latter group were offered circumcision primarily. All were followed up till resolution.

Results

All 100 were referred with a non-retractile prepuce and an additional reason — preputial ballooning at voiding, dysuria or suspect UTI. Eight (mean age ?58 months, referred for preputial ballooning at voiding ?6/8 and dysuria ?2/8) had phimosis and were primarily offered circumcision. The remaining 92 (mean age — 22 months, referred for preputial ballooning at voiding ?52/92, dysuria ?28/92 and suspect UTI ?12/92) had preputial adhesions. In the latter group, none has a documented urinary infection on specific investigations. These 92 underwent outpatient preputial adhesiolysis. Seventy three (79 %) required a single sitting, 11 (12%) required 2 ?4 sittings and 4(4.5%) required 5?8 sittings over a follow up period of 1 ?24 months (median ?3 weeks). 4/92(4.5%) were deemed non-responders to adhesiolysis and were circumcised later.

Conclusion

The majority of children referred with ‘phimosis for circumcision’ to this tertiary pediatric surgical centre were actually physiologic preputial adhesions that were managed with outpatient preputial adhesiolysis. This study underscores a lack of awareness amongst referring primary care physicians regarding preputial adhesions and the potential for an erroneous diagnosis of phimosis translating into unnecessary circumcisions in many young boys.     

Long standing balanitis xerotica obliterans resulting in renal impairment in a child

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is the most common cause of pathological phimosis in boys. Presented here is the case of a previously well 13-year-old boy who developed obstructive renal impairment (serum creatinine = 190 mumol/l) at least in part from phimosis due to BXO. A circumcision and, 2.5 months later, meatal dilatation were done. Nine months after his initial presentation, his serum creatinine returned to a permanently elevated nadir of 119 mumol/l. Presentation with the complications of phimosis can be delayed in teenage boys because they may feel embarrassed to come forward. Circumcision remains the definitive treatment of BXO induced phimosis though if the penile meatus is involved, more complex surgery is sometimes required. Topical steroids are useful for residual disease. Follow-up is very important due to the frequent involvement of the skin of the glans. In the very long term there is an increased chance of penile malignancy, which can occur even after circumcision.     

Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus in children with phimosis and hypospadias

 This prospective study was designed to evaluate the incidence of lichen sclerosus et atrophicus (LSA) in a pediatric population with hypospadias and phimosis in order to discuss the indications for circumcision and utilization of preputial skin for urethral surgery. All 115 boys, 55 with congenital phimosis, 45 with acquired phimosis, 13 with hypospadias, and 2 with recurrent chronic balanitis, underwent full-thickness biopsies of the foreskin that were examined by a single pathologist. Of the patients with acquired phimosis, 88% showed inflammatory features in the foreskin; 60% had LSA. Of the patients with congenital phimosis, 82% showed inflammatory disease in the prepuce; 30% had LSA. Of the patients operated upon for hypospadias, 61% showed histologic findings of chronic inflammation of the foreskin and LSA was evident in 15%. The high incidence of LSA in the prepuce of patients with phimosis suggests that circumcision should be performed to correct this disease. The frequent presence of chronic inflammation is a possible cause of stenosis when the foreskin is used to perform a urethroplasty in patients with hypospadias. Accepted: 30 April 2001     

Late complications of circumcision in Iran

Today, circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide. Early and late complications may occur due to circumcision. To find the prevalence of late complications of circumcision, we studied 3,205 elementary-school boys aged 6–12 years in 2002. All of them were Iranian and Muslim. Nearly 3,125 of the boys have been circumcised. Most of the boys (2,214 boys) had been circumcised after 2 years of age. Moreover, most of them were operated by traditional circumcisers (43.49%). Late complications (7.39%) were reported in 231 boys. Excessive residual foreskin was seen in 113 children (3.6%). Excessive removal of skin was detected in 42 boys (1.3%), meatal stenosis in 29 boys (0.9%), granoloma in 22 boys (0.7%), penile rotation in 17 boys (0.5%), and 8 boys had secondary chordee (0.2%). The complication rate was not different between the neonatal circumcision and older groups. We suggested that circumcision should only be performed in medical institutions by suitably trained specialists.     

A study of clinical opinion and practice regarding circumcision

AIM—To establish clinical opinion regarding appropriate indications for circumcision and to examine actual clinical practice.
METHODS—A questionnaire was sent to all NHS hospital consultants in the Yorkshire region of the UK identified as having a role to play in the management of boys (under 16 years of age) requiring circumcision. Retrospective data on actual clinical practice during a three month study period were also collected via a simple proforma.
RESULTS—Of 153 questionnaires sent, 64 were returned. Responses revealed varying opinions regarding appropriate indications for circumcision within each consultant group, and between paediatricians and surgeons. Surgeons were generally more inclined to recommend circumcision for each of the indications listed in the questionnaire. Analysis of clinical practice revealed that almost two thirds of procedures were carried out for phimosis, and nearly half of these children were under the age of 5years.
CONCLUSION—There are differences in the clinical opinions of surgeons and paediatricians on what constitutes an appropriate indication for circumcision. Paediatricians'' opinions are generally more in line with current evidence than those of surgeons, possibly resulting in many unnecessary circumcisions.

     

Foreskin analysis of circumcised boys with and without previous topical corticosteroid

Problems with the foreskin are common reasons for pediatric surgery consultations. We collected the foreskin of 40 patients for 2 years and these samples were divided into groups with and without previous topical corticosteroid. We carried out histochemical hematoxylin & eosin and Picrosirius analyses of the foreskin. Collagen fibers and inflammatory infiltrate was higher in samples from patients who had complications related to phimosis. Fibrosis was higher in patients who used topical corticosteroid. A histopathologic study of the foreskin may provide an additional analysis of patients undergoing circumcision and it can also improve the accuracy of surgical indication.     

Circumcision. A study of current practices

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current incidence of circumcision, the reasons governing parental decisions regarding circumcision, the immediate and later complications from the procedure, as well as genital problems occurring in uncircumcised boys. The incidence of circumcision was found not to have changed over the past five years despite the recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force on Circumcision. The reasons given for circumcision reflected mostly the strength of tradition, rather than a medical approach. Four per cent of newborns experienced early complications from the procedure, whereas 13 per cent experienced later, minor complications. Problems reported in uncircumcised infants were probably variants of normal. While the results of this study and evidence for discontinuing neonatal circumcision, we strongly recommend that, if physicians dissuade parents from having their infants circumcised, they must give adequate information concerning hygiene and the slow, natural separation of the foreskin from the glans.     

Phimosis: stretching methods with or without application of topical steroids?

Phimosis has been defined as unretractable foreskin without adherences or a circular band of tight prepuce preventing full retraction. We suggested a new treatment protocol combining betamethasone with stretching exercises to reduce the number of patients requiring surgery for phimosis. Between January 2003 and September 2004, 247 boys aged 4 to 14 years (mean 7.6) were included in this consecutive, prospective, open study. Patients were treated with 0.05% betamethasone cream applied to the distal aspect of the prepuce twice daily for the first 15 days, then once daily for 15 more days. Preputial gymnastics started 1 week after topical application of betamethasone. Ninety-six percent of patients receiving 1 or more cycles of betamethasone showed complete resolution of phimosis. There was a significant difference (P < .001) in response rate between the study and control groups. Only 10 boys in the study group had no response to steroid and stretching. Treatment with topical steroids, combined with stretching exercises, is a suitable alternative to surgical correction (preputial plasty/circumcision).     

Neonatal circumcision.

The merits of neonatal circumcision continue to be debated hotly. Some argue that circumcision is a "uniquely American medical enigma." Most of the world's male population remains uncircumcised; however, most boys born in the United States continue to undergo neonatal circumcision. Review of existing literature supports that most children who are uncircumcised do well from a medical standpoint and, thus, the question of whether US health care practitioners are subjecting neonates to an unnecessary surgical procedure remains. The medical benefits of circumcision are multiple, but most are small. The clearest medical benefit of circumcision is the relative reduction in the risk for a UTI, especially in early infancy. Although this risk [figure: see text] is real, the absolute numbers are small (risk ranges from 1 in 100 to 1 in 1000), and one investigator has estimated that it may take approximately 80 neonatal circumcisions to prevent one UTI. In the case of a patient with known urologic abnormalities that predispose to UTI, neonatal circumcision has a clearer role in terms of medical benefit to the patient. Most of the other medical benefits of circumcision probably can be realized without circumcision as long as access to clean water and proper penile hygiene are achieved. Proper penile hygiene should all but eliminate the risk for foreskin-related medical problems that will require circumcision. Moreover, proper hygiene and access to clean water has been shown to reduce the rate of development of squamous cell carcinoma of the penis in the uncircumcised population. Proper techniques on the care of the foreskin are illustrated in the American Academy of Pediatrics pamphlet titled "How to care for the uncircumcised penis." Regarding the relationship between STDs and circumcision, patient education and the practice of low-risk sexual behavior make a far greater impact than does routine circumcision in hopes of reducing the spread of HIV and other STDs. Nevertheless, in areas where safe sexual practices are poorly adhered to, circumcision can have a relative protective effect against the transmission of HIV and other STDs. The medical harms of circumcision lie mainly in the 1% acute complication rate and the additional patients who require revision of their initial circumcision for cosmetic or medical reasons. Anecdotally, the authors see far fewer complications in the acute and long-term phase when the circumcision has been performed by someone with expertise and experience with the procedure. Thus, the authors routinely recommend to parents that, if they choose to have their newborns circumcised, they should seek out an experienced practitioner. A negative psychologic and sexual impact of circumcision has been argued, but solid, scientific data are lacking. Special interest groups have argued that perhaps the greatest harm of circumcision is in performing an operation without a clear indication. Many of these groups have claimed that performing a routine neonatal circumcision is akin to performing a surgical procedure without a clear medical benefit, and in an infant, that is akin to surgery without informed consent. Although this is an extreme posture, the clinician can understand the emphasis on trying to provide invasive medical services only when a clear medical benefit is expected, especially when treating an infant or child. Deciding whether or not to circumcise an infant continues to challenge many new parents. Clearly, the procedure provides potential medical benefits and potential risks. It is difficult to say whether the benefits outweigh the risks for all male infants. Further complicating the decision for many American parents is that, in some areas of the United States, there exists an unexplained positive cultural connotation with neonatal circumcision. For these reasons, parents who actively choose to keep their sons uncircumcised need to be encouraged to make this decision forthrightly. Parents who choose to have their children circumcised also should be encouraged to actively seek an experienced practitioner who can afford the child adequate local analgesia.     

Lichen sclerosus in children with phimosis

AIM: Lichen sclerosus, also known as lichen atrophicus, balanitis xerotica obliterans and kraurosis vulvae, is a chronic limphocytes-depending dermatitis predominantly found in the anogenital area of any age group, sex or race. It is most commonly found in Caucasian women: the female to male ratio ranges from 6:1 to 10:1. The real incidence of the disease observed in the literature depends remarkably on the age and sex group studied. The incidence in the pediatric population ranges from 10-15% to nearly 95% if we consider only boys with truly sclerosed and stenotic foreskins. METHODS: Our purpose is to evaluate the incidence of lichen sclerosus in a pediatric population with phimosis examinated from January 2001 to December 2004 in the Pediatric Surgery Department of Ferrara. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were circumcised: 71 because of a severe phimosis and associated problems such as disuria, urinary obstruction or balanitis and 8 to prevent urinary tract infections in children with vesico-ureteral reflux. Of the patients with severe phimosis 26 (36.6%) showed histologic evidence of lichen sclerosus of the foreskins. In the other group there was no evidence of lichen sclerosus of the prepuce. CONCLUSIONS: After the circumcision no recurrence of the disease has been observed.     

Routine biopsies in pediatric circumcision: (Non) sense?

ObjectiveAt our institute we usually send the foreskin after circumcision for pathological examination. Does this make sense or is it merely medical overconsumption?Material and methodsA retrospective analysis was carried out of all pediatric patients who underwent a circumcision, from August 2005 to January 2008, for persisting pathological phimosis after treatment with topical steroids. Religious circumcisions were excluded.ResultsBalanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) was diagnosed in 37 out of 135 biopsies (27%). In 19 of the 37 boys with pathological evidence of BXO (51%), the physical examination matched the pathology. Meatal stenosis was found in six cases; four were also diagnosed with BXO.ConclusionsIn this study, 27% of all biopsies were positive for BXO. The results show that the diagnosis BXO must be based on biopsy, because clinical findings underestimated the incidence of BXO by almost 50%. BXO implies a higher incidence of meatal stenosis, urethral pathology and has a known association with penile carcinoma. We conclude that there is a place for routine biopsy of the foreskin after circumcision for pathological phimosis, taking into account the potential clinical consequences when BXO is diagnosed.     

Parental circumcision preferences and early outcome of plastibell circumcision in a Nigerian tertiary hospital

Background:

Parents are central in decisions and choices concerning circumcision of their male children and plastibell circumcision is a widely practiced technique. This study determined parental preferences for male neonatal and infant circumcisions and evaluate the early outcomes of plastibell circumcisions in a tertiary centre.

Patients and Methods:

This is a prospective study on consecutive male neonates and infants who were brought for circumcisions at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, South-East Nigeria and their respective parents between January 2012 and December 2012. Data on demography, parental choices and early outcome of plastibell circumcision were obtained and analysed.

Results:

A total of 337 requests for circumcisions were made for boys with age range of 2-140 days. Culture and religion were the most common reasons for circumcision requests in 200 (59.3%) and 122 (36.2%), respectively, other reasons were medical, cosmesis, to reduce promiscuity and just to follow the norm. Most parents, 249 (73.9%) preferred the procedure to be performed on the 8^th day and 88.7% would like the doctors to perform the procedure while 84.6% preferred the plastibell method. Among those who had circumcision, 114 complied with follow-up schedules and there were complications in 22 (19.3%) patients. Parents assessed the early outcome as excellent, very good, good and poor in 30.7%, 45.6%, 18.4% and 5.3% of the patients, respectively.

Conclusion:

Parents request for male circumcision in our environment is largely for cultural and religious reasons; and prefer the procedure to be performed by a physician. Plastibell method is well known and preferred and its outcome is acceptable by most parents.Key words: Complications, infants, neonates, Nigeria, plastibell circumcisions, preferences