Comparison of complications of circumcision by 'plastibell device technique' in male neonates and infants

Objectives: To determine the effectiveness of the circumcision by Plastibell technique with comparison of complications among neonate and infant age groups. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted in all the plastibell circumcisions performed by the first author, during the period October 2006 to December 2008 at a private hospital Karachi. The record of all the cases fulfilling the inclusion criteria were obtained and analyzed for determining the outcome and complications if any in neonates and infants and to compare it with in these two groups. Results: Overall 245 cases of neonates and infants were selected. Mean age of neonates and infants was 14 ± 2 days and 3 ± 0.5 months respectively. The plastibell circumcision was done in all the cases i.e. 90 neonates and 155 infants. Out of these, the successful rate of plastibell circumcision without any complication was recorded as 196 cases (80.00%) whereas, 49 cases (20.00%) developed complications. In neonates it was recorded as 04.44 % cases, whereas this ratio was 29.03 % in infants. Most common complications were delayed separation of the ring in 17 cases (6.93%), bleeding in 12 cases (4.89%), localized superficial infection in 12 cases (4.89%), and proximal migration of ring in 07 cases (2.85%). Conclusion: The ratio of complications of circumcision by plastibell is significantly higher in infants as compared to neonates. However it is an easy, quick and safe technique. Outcome of this procedure is encouraging while infants are more prone to develop post operative complications than neonates.