Complications of circumcision

Circumcision remains the most common operation performed on males. Although, not technically difficult, it is accompanied by a rate of morbidity and can result in complications ranging from trivial to tragic. The reported incidence of complications varies from 0.1% to 35% the most common being infection, bleeding and failure to remove the appropriate amount of foreskin. Forty patients suffering from different degrees of circumcision complications and their treatment are presented. In all patients satisfactory functional and cosmetic results were achieved. Whether it is done for ritualistic, religious or medical reasons circumcision should be performed by a fully trained surgeon using a proper technique as follows 1) adequate use of antiseptic agents; 2) complete separation of inner preputial epithelium from the glans; 3) marking the skin to be removed at the beginning of operation; 4) careful attention to the baby’s voiding within the first 6 to 8 h after circumcision; 5) removal or replacement of the dressings on the day following circumcision. Received: 6 April 1998 / Accepted: 29 July 1998