Gomco circumcision: When is it safe?

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The Gomco clamp is used most commonly for neonatal circumcisions in the United States with reported rates of complication as low as 0.2%. Often, however, circumcision is delayed beyond the neonatal period because of illness, parental concerns, or physician bias with patients presenting for elective circumcision in the first few years of life. In neonates and infants, the "bloodless" Gomco circumcision is cost effective, can be performed with minimal anesthesia and gives good cosmetic results. However, the optimal age at which to perform this procedure remains controversial. We reviewed the experience of one pediatric urologist with Gomco circumcision in neonates and infants to determine the optimal age at which this procedure should be performed. METHODS: One hundred thirty patients underwent Gomco circumcision by 1 pediatric urologist between 1996 and 1998. Ninety-eight patients underwent Gomco circumcision as neonates or during early infancy at a mean age of 17 days (range, 4 to 30 days). Thirty-two patients underwent circumcision after early infancy at a mean age of 6.5 months (range, 90 days to 8.5 months). All patients younger than 1 month of age underwent circumcision while fully awake using a dorsal penile nerve block. Patients greater than 3 months of age were circumcised under general anesthesia. Gomco circumcision was performed using 1.1- to 2.1-cm bells. Patients were assessed with regard to outcome. RESULTS: None of the 98 patients in the early infancy group had postcircumcision complications. Of the 32 patients in the older group, 12 (30%) had postoperative bleeding requiring suture repair or fulguration. The skin edges separated in 2 patients, 1 less than 1 month of age and 1 in the older group. Neither patient required further intervention, and both healed spontaneously. There was no correlation between size of clamp and development of complications. CONCLUSION: Although safe and effective for circumcision in the neonatal period and in early infancy, use of the Gomco clamp for circumcision beyond early infancy (3 months of age) has substantial morbidity, and alternative methods of circumcision should be sought.     

Increased morbidity after circumcision from a hidden complication

OBJECTIVE: To describe a late complication of circumcision and to elucidate the role of surgical materials or any foreign body in the development of a subcutaneous mass in circumcised boys. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From May 1998 to March 2001, 646 boys were circumcised and 523 (mean age 6.5 years, range 0-13) re-examined for the possible development of a subcutaneous mass. Twenty-six (5%) of the re-examined patients had such a mass under the penile skin; it was removed in all patients under local anaesthesia and examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The mean (sd, range) delay after circumcision before developing or detecting the mass was 3.2 (0.7, 1-7) months. All patients were asymptomatic but there was purulent discharge in four. On removing the mass, histopathology showed the development of granulation tissue with foreign-body giant cells. CONCLUSION: There may be minor complications after circumcision which cannot be avoided even when the procedure is undertaken by surgeons. Awareness of such complications occurring long after circumcision may aid in the early detection of this asymptomatic mass and prevent a more severe outcome.     

Non-retractile foreskin: a single center 13-year experience

BACKGROUND: Non-retractile foreskin comprise a significant number of referrals by pediatricians and general practitioners to pediatric surgical centers. In attempts to find alternatives to widely practised circumcision, various procedures have been developed over the years in order to relieve the non-fibrotic narrowing of the foreskin. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a 13-year period from 1984-1997, we treated 2554 patients with non-retractile foreskin at our center. Dorsal relieving incision was the technique of choice and was performed in 2177 patients, circumcision in 73 patients and preputial adhesiolysis was sufficient to retract the foreskin in 284 patients. RESULTS: Satisfactory esthetic results, an extremely low rate of postoperative complications (1.8%) with a recurrence rate of only 0.8% (18 patients) was observed in our series with dorsal relieving incision. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsal relieving incision operation was found to be a less invasive, safe and effective procedure for non-retractile foreskin not affected by extensive secondary scarring. This technique has fewer complications in comparison to circumcision and can be performed as an ambulatory procedure.     

Knowledge and attitudes of Korean parents towards their son's circumcision: a nationwide questionnaire study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate knowledge about the foreskin and circumcision, and to understand the attitudes of parents to circumcision in Korea, where circumcision in childhood is widely practised with no particular religious or medical background. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A nationwide study involving questionnaires was conducted on 5500 parents with at least one son attending elementary school. Responses were obtained from one of the parents. RESULTS: The response rate was 76.1% (4183); circumcision was most common in boys when aged 11 years, followed by neonatal circumcision. Of the parents, 91.3% believed that circumcision is necessary, while 2.1% believed it to be unnecessary. The principal reasons given for circumcision were 'to improve penile hygiene' (82.4%), followed by 'to improve future sexual potency' (7.5%). Among those who did not believe circumcision to be necessary, the most common reason was the expectation of spontaneous retraction of the prepuce with age (55.1%). Most (88.4%) of the parents believed that smegma is not a clean material, and is infected by microorganisms. Most parents (80.6%) thought that circumcision would prevent genital tract infection of the future spouse. Peer pressure was one of the most influential factors in deciding upon circumcision; 41.9% of the parents were anxious that their child might be ridiculed by his peer group unless he was circumcised, while 27.4% of the parents believed that their child might be ridiculed if he was circumcised. Mothers were more positive about circumcision than fathers (P < 0.05). Parents with a higher education and higher socio-economic status were also more positive about circumcision (P < 0.05). Mothers were prone to emphasize improved sexual potency (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in response between urban and rural areas. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that common beliefs held by parents about the prepuce or circumcision differ significantly from current medical knowledge, and these beliefs have a major influence on the practice of circumcision in Korea. More clinical research on the natural history of the foreskin is needed, and it is critical that both children and parents are informed about the potential benefits and disadvantages of circumcision.     

Cost-effectiveness analysis of treatments for phimosis: a comparison of surgical and medicinal approaches and their economic effect

OBJECTIVE: To compare the cost-effectiveness of surgery and topical steroids as treatments for phimosis (defined as a clinically verifiable, pathological, cicatricial stenosis of the prepuce) and to evaluate the financial basis of these treatments. METHODS: Data on treatment using topical steroids was obtained from published reports and those for circumcision from claims by private hospitals for children < 13 years old registered at the health insurance department of our facility. The estimate of the French national financial cost of the treatments for 1998 was calculated from public and private institutional information. RESULTS: Treatment with topical steroids for 4-8 weeks was successful in approximately 85% of patients (mean age 5 years) and had no side-effects; the remaining 15% were treated by circumcision. Topical steroid therapy costs (in French francs) F 360 per patient. For those primarily treated by circumcision (81 boys, mean age 4.3 years) and diagnosed as having phimosis, the cost was F 3330 per patient in the private sector. The total number of circumcisions performed in France, regardless of sector (public or private) for 1998 was estimated to be 51 080, which represents an annual cost of F 195.7 million. CONCLUSION: As topical pharmacological treatment avoids the disadvantages, trauma and potential complications of penile surgery, including anaesthesia-related risks, the use of topical steroids as a primary treatment appears to be justified in boys with clinically verifiable phimosis. This treatment could reduce costs by 75%, which represents a potential annual saving of approximately F 150 million.     

Routine circumcision practice in Western Australia 1981-1999

Background: Routine neonatal circumcision has declined in most English‐speaking countries. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the trends in incidence of routine circumcision in Western Australia and current patterns of the procedure according to sociodemographic factors. Methods: Hospital morbidity data were used to conduct a population‐based study of all circumcisions performed in Western ­Australian hospitals during 1981?1999. Medicare insurance rebate statistics were used to estimate the numbers of circumcisions performed outside of hospital on boys <6 months of age between 1994 and 1999. Results: In 1994, 9.8% of boys were circumcised before reaching 6 months of age, falling to 7.9% by 1999. Boys <6 months of age were 3.3 times more likely to undergo a hospital‐performed circumcision if they lived in country areas compared with metro­politan Perth. Middle socioeconomic class families were twice as likely to circumcise a son than those in the higher and lower socioeconomic groups. The decreasing circumcision rate in boys <6 months of age was partly offset by an increase in routine circumcisions in boys older than 6 months of age during 1981?1999. Conclusion: Circumcision remains a relatively common procedure in Western Australia. Based on total routine circumcision rates in 1999, 10.2% of boys will be circumcised by the time they reach 15 years of age. The routine circumcision rate in boys <6 months is falling in contrast to a rising routine circumcision rate in older boys. Risk factors for a circumcision before 6 months of age include living in country areas and a middle socioeconomic status.     

Utility of intraoperative endoscopy: Implications for surgical education

BACKGROUND: The use of intraoperative endoscopy by surgeons can identify pathology and help determine the appropriate procedure to perform. However, residency training in endoscopy is often variable and unstructured. The purpose of this study was to determine the indications for and impact of intraoperative endoscopy performed at the time of general surgical procedures. METHODS: The records of all patients who underwent intraoperative endoscopy from January 1998 to December 1999 were reviewed. The indications for endoscopy, endoscopic findings, the impact of these findings on the operation performed, complications, and whether the patient was spared from undergoing a second procedure on a separate date were noted. RESULTS: A total of 107 intraoperative endoscopic procedures were performed in 103 patients. Excluding breast, endocrine, central line, and peritoneal dialysis catheter cases, endoscopy was utilized in 5.1% of all general surgery procedures performed during this time period. In 91 patients (88%), the endoscopic procedure was planned preoperatively; in 13 (12%), intraoperative findings dictated its use. The most common indications for endoscopy were identification of lesions and determination of extent of resection (n = 27); evaluation of rectal bleeding (n = 21); colonic evaluation in patients with perianal infections (n = 13); evaluation of extent of injury in trauma cases (n = 8); evaluation of pain (n = 6); evaluation of intestinal tract hemorrhage (n = 6); performance of procedures such as placement of a biliary stent, placement of a nasojejunal tube, or polypectomy (n = 5); and surveillance of chronic disease (n = 5). In 37 patients (36%), the endoscopic findings affected the operation performed. Sixty-nine patients (67%) were spared an endoscopic procedure at a second date, which would have required additional sedation or anesthesia. There were no complications related to endoscopy. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative endoscopy is a valuable tool that can be performed safely for multiple indications and is frequently of value in determining the operation to be performed. Surgical residents should be trained in the indications for endoscopic evaluation as well as the competent performance of such procedures.     

Complications of otitis media requiring surgical intervention

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of complications of otitis media that require surgical interventions has decreased substantially over the past few years, it is a prevailing condition for which clinicians should remain vigilant. METHODS: We conducted a 3-year review [June 1998 to June 2001] in our hospital of surgical records of patients with complications of otitis media that were treated surgically. RESULTS: There were 16 patients with complications of otitis media, of which nine [56%] were intracranial; brain abscess and lateral sinus thrombosis were the most common intracranial complications. Extracranial complications were present in 15 [94%] of the patients; mastoid abscess [40%] was the most common extracranial complication. Seven [44%] patients had two or more concomitant complications. All patients with intracranial complications recovered well with no neurological deficits after aggressive antibiotic therapy and initial surgical treatment by neurosurgeons. Modified radical mastoidectomy was the most common surgical otological procedure that was performed in these cases.CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive antibiotic therapy and combined management of cases by otologists and neurosurgeons are the key to reducing the morbidity and mortality of the serious complications of otitis media.     

应用“商环”行包皮环切484例体会

目的观察圣达"商环"应用于"包皮环切术"的临床效果及操作技术要点。方法应用"商环"对484例包皮过长及包茎患者进行包皮环切术,对手术时间、术后恢复时间、术后并发症、外观情况进行观察。结果应用"商环"进行包皮环切操作简单,手术时间为(6.5±2.2)m in,术后包皮创口完全愈合时间(22.4±5.8)d,主要并发症为术后感染4例(1.23%),水肿20例(6.17%),出血(1.5±0.4)mL。术后切口整齐,外形美观。结论应用中国"商环"行包皮环切术操作简单、手术时间短、出血及并发症少、外形美观。可望成为标准化术式。     

应用一次性包皮环切缝合器与袖套式包皮环切术的临床疗效对比研究

目的:比较分析应用一次性包皮环切缝合器与袖套包皮环切术的临床疗效和手术并发症。方法:106例包皮过长(或包茎)患者按手术日期单双号分为一次性包皮环切缝合器组(50例)与袖套式包皮环切术组(56例)。比较两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、术中疼痛程度、术后疼痛程度、切口愈合情况及术后并发症。结果:一次性包皮环切缝合器组与袖套式包皮环切术组手术时间分别为(31.38±2.93)min和(11.82±1.96)min;术中出血量分别为(1.14±0.94)ml和(7.89±2.31)ml;术中疼痛评分分别为(0.80±0.70)分和(3.02±1.22)分;术后24小时疼痛评分分别为(1.90±0.80)分和(4.45±1.03)分;术后并发症发生率分别为4.0%(2/50)和17.87%(10/56);切口愈合时间分别为(14.06±1.15)d和(14.39±1.57)d;外观满意率分别为98%(49/50)和83.93%(47/56)。与袖套式包皮环切组相比,一次性包皮环切缝合器组手术时间短、失血量少、术中及术后患者痛苦小、外观满意率高且并发症发生率低(P0.05),术后伤口愈合时间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:应用一次性包皮环切缝合器是对袖套式包皮环切术的改进及创新,具有患者手术效果好、并发症发生率低、患者满意度高及易于接受等优势。     

Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Switzerland

Background: We set out to analyze the technical aspects, intraoperative complications, morbidity, and mortality of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a multi-institutional study representative of Switzerland. Methods: Data were collected from 10,174 patients from 82 surgical services. A total of 353 different parameters per patient were included. Results: We found intraoperative complications in 34.4% of patients and had a conversion rate of 8.2%. This rate was significantly increased in patients with complicated cholelithiasis and in those with previous upper—but not lower—abdominal surgery. In most cases, conversions to open procedures were required because of technical difficulties due to inflammatory changes and/or unclear anatomical findings at the time of operation. Bleeding was a common intraoperative complication, that significantly increased the risk of conversion. Patients with loss of gallstones in the peritoneal cavity had increased rates of abscesses. The rate of common bile duct injuries was 0.31%, but it decreased significantly as the laparoscopic experience of the surgeon increased. The rate of common bile duct injuries was not increased in patients with acute cholecystitis or in the 1.32% of patients undergoing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. Intraoperative cholangiography did not reduce the risk of common bile duct injuries, but it allowed them to be diagnosed intraoperatively in 75% of patients. Local complications were recorded in 4.79% of patients, and systemic complications were seen in 5.59%. The mortality rate was 0.2%. Conclusions: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure, the rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy is still substantial. The conversion rate depends both on the indication and intraoperative complications. There is still a 10.38% morbidity associated with the procedure; however, the incidence of common bile duct injuries, which decreases with growing laparoscopic experience, was relatively low. Received: 14 October 1997/Accepted: 21 January 1998     

Groin hernia repair in Scotland

BACKGROUND: The use of mesh for groin hernia repair has dramatically changed the way this common operation is performed. The aim of this study was to survey the methods of groin hernia repair in Scotland and to assess patient satisfaction with the operation. METHODS: Between 1 April 1998 and 31 March 1999 all patients who underwent groin hernia repair in the National Health Service in Scotland were identified. As well as looking at the type of hernia repair performed and postoperative morbidity, patients were sent a Short Form-36 about 3 months after the operation to assess satisfaction and return to normal activity. RESULTS: Information was obtained on 5506 (97 per cent) of patients who underwent groin hernia repair during the study period. Eighty-five per cent of patients had an open mesh repair and 4 per cent had a laparoscopic repair. Most operations (85 per cent) were performed using general anaesthesia on an inpatient basis (78 per cent), and 8 per cent were for repair of a recurrent hernia. Potentially serious intraoperative complications were rare (seven patients), although they were significantly (P < 0. 001) more likely to be associated with a laparoscopic approach or repair of a femoral hernia: relative risk compared with open inguinal hernia repair 33 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 6-197) and 22 (95 per cent c.i. 3-152) respectively. Wound complications were common and 10 per cent of patients required a district nurse to attend the wound. Patients expressed a high degree of satisfaction; 94 per cent would recommend the same operation to someone else if required. CONCLUSION: An open mesh repair using general anaesthesia has become the repair of choice for a groin hernia in Scotland. Despite a high incidence of wound complications, patients are satisfied with this operation.     

Celioscopic treatment of small intestine obstructions

We evaluated the reliability and immediate results of celioscopic management of acute small bowel obstruction. From January 1995 to April 1998, 39 patients underwent a primary celioscopic procedure for small bowel obstruction. The most common etiology was post operative adhesions (34 patients). The whole operation could be carried out exclusively by celioscopy in 22 patients (56%). A laparotomy had to be performed in 17 patients due to: impossibility to identify or treat the cause of obstruction, bowel necrosis or intraoperative complication (3 bowel wounds). Post operative complications were: 1 death (not directly related to the surgical procedure), 2 early recurrences of obstruction after exclusive celioscopy, 1 evisceration after laparotomy and 1 small bowel fistula after conversion to laparotomy. Mean hospital stay was 5 days after exclusive celioscopy and 9.5 days after conversion to laparotomy. Celioscopic management of small bowel obstruction is feasible, but it is often difficult and may be hazardous; a careful selection of patients must be made, based on the importance of obstruction and the type of previous abdominal surgery.     

Revision of circumcision in children: Report of 56 cases

Background/Purpose: Circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States today. Despite the large number of specialists who perform this procedure, only occasionally are the results unsatisfactory. The purpose of this study is to review the indications for circumcision revision, attempt to identify the specialists who are performing unsatisfactory circumcisions, describe the authors' surgical technique for circumcision revision, and review current coding and billing issues related to this procedure. Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of 56 consecutive children who underwent circumcision revision over a 4-year period (1995 to 1999). They also reviewed their current coding and billing practices for this procedure. Results: Children undergoing revision of circumcision ranged in age from 6 weeks to 11 years with a mean of 26.7 months. Redundant foreskin was the most common indication for circumcision revision. In 38 patients (68%) the authors were able to identify the specialist who performed the procedure. Pediatricians were most commonly identified (n = 26), followed by residents in training (n = 10) family physician (1), and nurse midwife (1). The authors were unable to identify the type of neonatal circumcision originally performed. Their surgical procedure was the conventional sleeve technique without variation in 55 cases. A gomco clamp was utilized in one patient under local anesthesia and resulted in significant difficulty in the performance of the revision. All patients had a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. There was one complication in a child who required a return to the operating room for postoperative bleeding and hematoma. In review of the authors coding practices they found that there was an appropriate diagnosis code available for redundant foreskin but a specific procedure code was lacking before 2002. The authors also found that midwives perform circumcisions throughout the United States. Conclusions: Considering the number of neonatal circumcisions performed in the United States, revision of circumcision uncommonly is required. The most common indication for circumcision revision is redundant foreskin. Although pediatricians were most commonly implicated in this study as the source of unsatisfactory circumcisions, that finding probably is more a reflection of local practices and referral patterns. Our recommended surgical procedure, the conventional sleeve technique, is familiar to pediatric surgeons, produces a satisfactory cosmetic result, and is easy to teach to residents and fellows. The authors do not recommend the use of a gomco clamp for circumcision revision. The authors do not feel that a circumcision revision should be delayed expecting that the child will grow into the redundant foreskin. Appropriate diagnosis codes have been available, but a new and more specific procedure code has just been introduced in 2002. J Pediatr Surg 37:1343-1346.     

Ritual Circumcision: No Longer a Problem for Health Services in the British Isles

INTRODUCTION

Primary care trust (PCT) funding of a ritual circumcision service has recently been withdrawn from our unit, raising concerns that this may result in greater morbidity from community circumcision. The aims of this study were to document our circumcision practice before and after the withdrawal of PCT funding and to determine its effect on the morbidity from circumcision. In addition, we wanted to survey all paediatric surgical centres in the British Isles to ascertain how many still offer a ritual circumcision service.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed our circumcision practice for 1 year prior to the removal of UK Government funding, and then performed a prospective audit of our practice for the 12 months following funding withdrawal. An e-mail survey was also performed of all paediatric surgical units to determine the ritual circumcision service provision throughout the British Isles.

RESULTS

A total of 213 boys underwent circumcision during the 12 months prior to the withdrawal of funding, of which 106 cases (50%) were ritual circumcisions. After funding withdrawal, 99 boys underwent circumcision, of which 98 cases (99%) were for medical reasons. A similar number of boys were re-admitted after a hospital circumcision during the two review periods (5 versus 4 patients), whereas the number admitted following a community circumcision rose after funding withdrawal (6 versus 11 patients). Only a third of British paediatric surgical centres offer a ritual circumcision service, and a significant proportion of these were either providing the service without PCT funding, or were reconsidering their decision to continue.

CONCLUSIONS

PCT funding withdrawal for ritual circumcision had an impact on our unit''s procedural case volume. This represented a cost saving to the trust, despite a higher rate of admissions for postoperative complications. There is an inequality in healthcare provision throughout the British Isles for ritual circumcision, and we feel it is vital to offer support and training to medical and non-medical practitioners who are being asked to perform a greater number of circumcisions in the community.     

The “ARM” principle and practice: Preventing postoperative complications of circumcision

BackgroundAs one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, circumcision may lead to complications. However, studies on preventing postoperative complications are scarce and still insufficient to draw any conclusions. This retrospective study aimed to summarize the surgical principles and consideration for preventing complications after circumcision.MethodsWe reviewed 28 patients (aged 3–45 years; median age, 24 years) with prepuce hyperplasia or phimosis treated with our modified circumcision technique. In our modified technique, an accurate incision design is made through the stretch test, the stenosis is released, and veins and lymphatic tissues in the fascia are maintained. These surgical details for preventing complications were abbreviated to “ARM.”ResultsNone of the patients had complications at the 6-month follow-up postoperatively. Only mild prepuce edema was observed, which returned to the normal condition spontaneously within 2–3 weeks. The diameter of the distal penis increased by 0.4 ?± ?0.1 ?cm 6 months after the procedure.ConclusionThe “ARM” principle may help surgeons to prevent postoperative complications of circumcision. Maintaining the fascia during the procedure can increase the diameter of the surgical region.     

The increasing incidence of newborn circumcision: data from the nationwide inpatient sample

PURPOSE: Newborn circumcision is the most common surgical procedure in the United States, yet there are few contemporary data regarding circumcision rates or the factors that affect these rates. The goal of this study was to determine trends in the national rate of newborn circumcision between 1988 and 2000, and to evaluate patient and hospital factors associated with newborn circumcision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample provides information on 5 million to 7 million inpatient stays per year. Newborn male hospitalizations were selected, and those newborns who underwent circumcision were identified using International Classification of Disease-9 procedure codes. Weighted national estimates of circumcision rates were calculated, and patient and hospital characteristics were examined to identify factors associated with newborn circumcision. RESULTS: We identified 4,657,402 newborn male hospitalizations during a 13-year period. Circumcision rates increased significantly with time-48.3% of newborn males underwent circumcision in 1988 to 1991 vs 61.1% in 1997 to 2000 (p <0.0001). In multivariate regression analysis the odds of circumcision increased by 6.8% per year during the study period (p <0.0001). Patient characteristics associated with increased odds of circumcision in the multivariate model included private insurance (p <0.0001), higher socioeconomic status (p <0.0001), fewer co-morbid diagnoses (p <0.0001) and black race (p <0.0001). Hospital factors associated with increased odds of circumcision included Northeast or Midwest geographic region and rural location. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant increase in the rate of newborn circumcision between 1988 and 2000. The increase may be related to increased recognition of the potential medical benefits of circumcision. However, the increase may also result in a higher incidence of surgical complications of circumcision.     

The complications of pancreatectomy.

This paper analyses the early postoperative complications after 285 pancreaticoduodenectomies performed during the past 15 years in the Surgical University Clinic, Mannheim. There were 235 partial (Whipple) and 52 total pancreatectomies performed for pancreatic and periampullary tumors (181 patients) and complicated chronic pancreatitis (104 patients). A total of 92 complications requiring relaparotomy in 42 patients ended fatally in nine patients. The overall operative and hospital mortality rate was 3.1%. The most frequent and most dangerous were complications at or around the pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, which occurred 25 times with five deaths. Postoperative hemorrhage was seen in 16 patients; endoscopic treatment in four patients and operation in 12 patients was successful in stopping the bleeding in all but one patient. Eight biliary fistulae either ceased spontaneously (3 patients) or after operative reintervention (5 patients) without any mortality. Control of these complications depends on four lines of approach: (1) before operation: optimal preparation of the jaundiced patient including endoscopic transpapillary decompression of the common duct; (2) during operation: a meticulous and standardized technique is mandatory; (3) after operation: continuous observation in the surgical intensive care unit is essential for the timely detection of possible complications; and (4) early reintervention can salvage the great majority of these patients with deleterious complications.     

成人包皮环套术中结扎强度与相关并发症的关系

目的：探讨成人包皮环套术后包皮水肿和内外板分离的主要病阂。方法：选择300例门诊患者,予以前瞻、对照性研究。随机分两组,一组为强结扎作用（弹力线＋大套环）,一组为弱结扎作用（普通丝线＋小套环）,观察两组术后包皮水肿和内外板分离的发生率。结果：强结扎作用组出现72例中度以上包皮水肿,17例内外板分离,弱结扎作用组出现37例中度以上包皮水肿,5例内外板分离,前组发病率高于后组,差别均有显著性意义。结论：结扎作用过强是导致成人包皮环套术后皮水肿和内外板分离的主要病因。控制好两个作用力结扎线弹力和套环张力,为伤口创造一个良好的张力环境是降低术后上述两个并发症的关键。     

3种包皮环切术的临床疗效分析

目的:比较传统包皮环切术、袖套状包皮切除术和包皮环切吻合术治疗包皮过长或包茎患者的临床疗效。方法:回顾性分析我院泌尿外科门诊采用传统包皮环切术(n=279)、袖套状包皮切除术(n=354)和包皮环切吻合术(n=285)治疗包茎或包皮过长918例患者的临床资料,比较3种术式手术时间、术中出血量、手术者对手术的满意度、术后4 h和7 d视觉模拟疼痛评分、术后并发症、创口完全愈合时间、包皮水肿程度、患者对术后外观的满意程度及围手术期费用等指标。结果:包皮环切吻合术在手术时间和术中出血量等方面要优于袖套状包皮切除术和传统包皮环切术(P<0.05)。传统包皮环切术、袖套状包皮切除术和包皮环切吻合术的创口完全愈合时间分别为(18.6±5.2)d、(11.4±3.7)d、(20.3±5.7)d,表明袖套状包皮切除术创口完全愈合时间明显优于传统包皮环切术和包皮环切吻合术(P<0.05)。袖套状包皮切除术在手术者对手术的满意度、术后水肿程度、术后并发症以及患者对外观的满意度等方面与包皮环切吻合术相似,但要优于传统包皮环切术(P<0.05)。传统包皮环切术和袖套状包皮切除术在术后7 d视觉疼痛模拟评分和围手术期费用上明显低于包皮环切吻合术(P<0.05)。结论:3种术式各有优缺点,最终的术式选择需根据患者的年龄、经济承受能力和手术者对不同术式的手术技巧差异和熟悉程度等多方面来考虑。