Cultural background, non-therapeutic circumcision and the risk of meatal stenosis and other urethral stricture disease: Two nationwide register-based cohort studies in Denmark 1977-2013

Foreskin restorers: insights into motivations, successes, challenges, and experiences with medical and mental health professionals - An abridged summary of key findings

Demographically diverse surveys in the United States suggest that 5-10% of non-voluntarily circumcised American males wish that they had not been circumcised. Similar data are unavailable in other countries. An unknown proportion of circumcised males experience acute circumcision-related distress; some attempt to regain a sense of bodily integrity through non-surgical foreskin restoration. Their concerns are often ignored by health professionals. We conducted an in-depth investigation into foreskin restorers' lived experiences. An online survey containing 49 qualitative and 10 demographic questions was developed to identify restorers' motivations, successes, challenges, and experiences with health professionals. Targeted sampling was employed to reach this distinctive population. Invitations were disseminated to customers of commercial restoration devices, online restoration forums, device manufacturer websites, and via genital autonomy organizations. Over 2100 surveys were submitted by respondents from 60 countries. We report results from 1790 fully completed surveys. Adverse physical, sexual, emotional/psychological and self-esteem impacts attributed to circumcision had motivated participants to seek foreskin restoration. Most sought no professional help due to hopelessness, fear, or mistrust. Those who sought help encountered trivialization, dismissal, or ridicule. Most participants recommended restoration. Many professionals are unprepared to assist this population. Circumcision sufferers/foreskin restorers have largely been ill-served by medical and mental health professionals.

A comprehensive comparison of the early and late complications of surgical circumcision in neonates and children: A cohort study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Major circumcision complications are rare; however, circumcision arouses distress in some special cases. The present study aimed to compare infancy and childhood regarding the frequency and relative risk of early and late complications of circumcision.

METHODS

This study was a retrospective cohort data analysis including 240 neonates and 240 children referred for circumcision from 2015 to 2021. All circumcisions were performed using the surgical dorsal-ventral slits method. A Cox proportional hazard model was used to assess the relative risk (RR) of complications at a confidence Interval of 95%.

RESULTS

The mean age was 19.32 ± 6.5 days for the neonates and 46.1 ± 8.8 months for the children. In general, complications occurred in 61 boys (12.7%), 40 neonates (8.3%), and 21 children (4.4%) (p˂0.001). Bleeding was the most common early complication in six neonates (2.5%) and three children (1.3%), and meatal stenosis was the most common late complication in 10 neonates (4.2%) and four children (1.6%). Meatal web was observed in 11 neonates (4.6%) and four children (1.6%), and the incomplete removal of the prepuce, as "not very satisfactory", was also noticed in nine neonates (3.75%) and three children (1.3%). The circumcision complications were significantly more frequent in neonates than in children (RR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.46-4.71, p<0.001). The neonatal circumcisions had a significant risk of the incomplete removal of the prepuce, meatal web, and meatal stenosis compared to children (RR = 3, 95% CI 5.83-10.81, p<0.04; RR = 2.75, 95% CI 0.9-8.3, p˂0.03; RR = 2.5, 95% CI 0.8-7.75, p<0.04, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The risk of complications is higher in neonates than children. The incomplete removal of prepuce, meatal web, and meatal stenosis are significantly higher in neonates than in children. Before prohibiting or recommending this procedure, practitioners should provide comprehensive information about its risks and benefits. Parents should weigh up the risks and benefits and make the best decision regarding their personal beliefs and customs.

Infant Circumcision for Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Reduction Globally

Population-based studies in high-income countries have failed to find that male circumcision protects against sexually transmitted infections. Using evidence from several sources, we show that male circumcision does protect against HIV during insertive intercourse for men who have sex with men.

Is frenuloplasty a risk factor for post-circumcision meatal stenosis?

INTRODUCTION

Meatal stenosis (MS) is a common complication of circumcision. In this study, we aimed to examine the role of frenuloplasty in the development of MS in school-age boys undergoing circumcision.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medical data of 502 patients who were circumcised surgically in the hospital setting aged ≥6 years between July 2019 and July 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the appearance of the frenular region. The patients whose integrity of the frenular region was protected during circumcision were classified as Group 1 (n = 262), and the patients whose frenulum was absent for some reason were classified as Group 2 (n = 240). Both groups were evaluated based on the development of complications following frenuloplasty after circumcision.

RESULTS

The median age was 11 (range: 6 to 17) years. The median circumcision age was seven (range: 6 to 12) years, and the median time since circumcision was four (range: 1 to 11) years. The main complaints of the patients were gastrointestinal (n = 254, 51%), respiratory (n = 148, 29%), and urinary system-related pathologies (n = 100, 20%). Meatal stenosis was the most common complication of circumcision with an overall incidence of 4%, which was significantly higher in Group 2 (7% vs. 2%, respectively; p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Our results suggested that MS is a common complication of circumcision. Performing frenuloplasty during circumcision might increase the risk of developing MS in school-age boys.

Nomogram of paediatric male urethral size: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Knowledge of the normal size of the urethral meatus in boys is important for safely performing urethral catheterization and fundamental to the diagnosis and treatment of paediatric urological conditions. However, clinicians often rely subjectively on previous experience and clinical judgement, rather than a robust evidence-base. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to define the calibre of the male urethral meatus in paediatric age-groups.

METHODS

The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched from inception to December 2020 for studies measuring meatal calibre in boys up to 16 years of age. Google Scholar searches along with forward and backward citation tracking identified additional studies. Studies of subjects >16 years, females, or patients with urethral diseases were excluded.

RESULTS

Nine articles (2084 paediatric subjects) were included in the final review. Mean meatal calibre increases non-linearly with age, with accelerated growth occurring during infancy (mini-puberty) and adolescence (puberty). Meatal calibre can be approximately grouped by age as follows: neonate (6-10Fr); infant (10-12Fr); child (12-14Fr); and adolescent (14-18Fr). There is substantial individual variability for same-aged children. Meatal calibre has been independently related to height, weight, and penile size, but the effects of ethnicity and circumcision remain unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence-base for this fundamental aspect of paediatric urology includes only a few low-quality studies and is largely derived from one early study of circumcised American boys. Further studies are warranted to establish normative urethral size values based on rigorous, contemporary data with known dependent variables also included.

What is the medical evidence on non-therapeutic child circumcision?

Non-therapeutic circumcision refers to the surgical removal of part or all of the foreskin, in healthy males, where there is no medical condition requiring surgery. The arguments for and against this practice in children have been debated for many years, with conflicting and conflicted evidence presented on both sides. Here, we explore the evidence behind the claimed benefits and risks from a medical and health-related perspective. We examine the number of circumcisions which would be required to achieve each purported benefit, and set that against the reported rates of short- and long-term complications. We conclude that non-therapeutic circumcision performed on otherwise healthy infants or children has little or no high-quality medical evidence to support its overall benefit. Moreover, it is associated with rare but avoidable harm and even occasional deaths. From the perspective of the individual boy, there is no medical justification for performing a circumcision prior to an age that he can assess the known risks and potential benefits, and choose to give or withhold informed consent himself. We feel that the evidence presented in this review is essential information for all parents and practitioners considering non-therapeutic circumcisions on otherwise healthy infants and children.

Non-therapeutic male circumcision in infancy or childhood and risk of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually transmitted infections: national cohort study in Denmark

Whether male circumcision in infancy or childhood provides protection against the acquisition of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adulthood remains to be established. In the first national cohort study to address this issue, we identified 810,719 non-Muslim males born in Denmark between 1977 and 2003 and followed them over the age span 0–36 years between 1977 and 2013. We obtained information about cohort members’ non-therapeutic circumcisions, HIV diagnoses and other STI outcomes from national health registers and used Cox proportional hazards regression analyses to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) associated with foreskin status (i.e., circumcised v. genitally intact). During a mean of 22 years of follow-up, amounting to a total observation period of 17.7 million person-years, 3375 cohort members (0.42%) underwent non-therapeutic circumcision, and 8531 (1.05%) received hospital care for HIV or other STIs. Compared with genitally intact males, rates among circumcised males were not statistically significantly reduced for any specific STI. Indeed, circumcised males had a 53% higher rate of STIs overall (HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.24–1.89), and rates were statistically significantly increased for anogenital warts (74 cases in circumcised males v. 7151 cases in intact males, HR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.20–1.90) and syphilis (four cases in circumcised males v. 197 cases in intact males, HR = 3.32; 95% CI: 1.23–8.95). In this national cohort study spanning more than three decades of observation, non-therapeutic circumcision in infancy or childhood did not appear to provide protection against HIV or other STIs in males up to the age of 36 years. Rather, non-therapeutic circumcision was associated with higher STI rates overall, particularly for anogenital warts and syphilis.

Meatal stenosis posttraditional neonatal circumcision-cross-sectional study

Context:

Circumcision holds a unique place in the daily practice of urology. Heat cautery device is the most common local technique used, we found it can cause meatal stenosis (MS) and its sequels.

Aim:

The study aims to determine the incidence, presenting symptoms of MS and its relation to local traditional neonatal circumcision techniques among our children.

Settings and Design:

This study was retrospectively study.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 150 children who circumcised during the infancy period, outside medical institutes, and they circumcised using local traditional techniques either heating cautery devices or surgical knives.

Statistical Analysis:

Of data were carried out using the Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences - version 25 (IBM Corporation).

Results:

Of 150 children, 60 (40%) had MS. The mean age at the time of diagnosis was 5.98 ± 3.06 years (range 1–13 years) and the majority of patients were within the age group of 5–9 years (n = 31, 51.7%), median 6.0 years. The incidence of MS was significantly higher (P = 0.037) among a group of children circumcised with a heating device in comparison with the circumcised group with other methods. Forty-six children (76.7%) were symptomatic and fourteen children (23.3%) diagnosis of MS had performed incidentally.

Conclusions:

MS is a long-term complication of neonatal circumcision with a late presentation and sequels. It is more common among group circumcised using heating cautery. We recommend using heating cautery cautiously.

Critical evaluation of arguments opposing male circumcision: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically evaluate evidence against male circumcision (MC).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.

RESULTS

Database searches retrieved 297 publications for inclusion. Bibliographies of these yielded 101 more. After evaluation we found: Claims that MC carries high risk were contradicted by low frequency of adverse events that were virtually all minor and easily treated with complete resolution. Claims that MC causes psychological harm were contradicted by studies finding no such harm. Claims that MC impairs sexual function and pleasure were contradicted by high-quality studies finding no adverse effect. Claims disputing the medical benefits of MC were contradicted by a large body of high-quality evidence indicating protection against a wide range of infections, dermatological conditions, and genital cancers in males and the female sexual partners of men. Risk-benefit analyses reported that benefits exceed risks by 100-200 to 1. To maximize benefits and minimize risks, the evidence supported early infant MC rather than arguments that the procedure should be delayed until males are old enough to decide for themselves. Claims that MC of minors is unethical were contradicted by balanced evaluations of ethical issues supporting the rights of children to be provided with low-risk, high-benefit interventions such as MC for better health. Expert evaluations of case-law supported the legality of MC of minors. Other data demonstrated that early infant MC is cost-saving to health systems.

CONCLUSIONS

Arguments opposing MC are supported mostly by low-quality evidence and opinion, and are contradicted by strong scientific evidence.

Factors Associated With Early Deaths Following Neonatal Male Circumcision in the United States, 2001 to 2010

We sought to quantify early deaths following neonatal circumcision (same hospital admission) and to identify factors associated with such mortality. We performed a retrospective analysis of all infants who underwent circumcision in an inpatient hospital setting during the first 30 days of life from 2001 to 2010 using the National Inpatient Sample. Over 10 years, 200 early deaths were recorded among 9 833 110 subjects (1 death per 49 166 circumcisions). Note: this figure should not be interpreted as causal but correlational as it may include both undercounting and overcounting of deaths attributable to circumcision. Compared with survivors, subjects who died following newborn circumcision were more likely to have associated comorbid conditions, such as cardiac disease (odds ratio [OR] = 697.8 [378.5-1286.6]; P < .001), coagulopathy (OR = 159.6 [95.6-266.2]; P < .001), fluid and electrolyte disorders (OR = 68.2 [49.1-94.6]; P < .001), or pulmonary circulatory disorders (OR = 169.5 [69.7-412.5]; P < .001). Recognizing these factors could inform clinical and parental decisions, potentially reducing associated risks.

Assessment of meatal stenosis in neonates undergoing circumcision using Plastibell Device with two different techniques

Purpose

It was intended to compare meatal stenosis (MS) as a late complication of neonatal circumcision by using two different methods of Plastibell Device circumcision.

Materials and methods

A total of 2,307 healthy term newborns (6–36 hours) who were born between 2007 and 2009 in Niknafs Medical Center of Rafsanjan, Iran, were simply randomized into two groups in a controlled, nonblinded clinical trial. In group A (1,102 neonates), the frenulum was maintained intact without any manipulation, and in group B (1,205 neonates) frenular hemostasis was performed in all cases by thermal cautery. MS was assessed by follow-up visits that were made for all cases at the 24–72 hours, 60th day, 12th month, and 16th month after circumcision.

Results

At 2 months follow-up visit, the rate of MS in group A was 4.9% (54) and in group B was 5.9% (71), which was not statistically significant. After 12 months, MS in group A was 8.5% (94) and in group B was 13.7% (165), which was statistically significant (P<0.001). At 16 months after circumcision, in the frenulum intact group, MS was 13.8% (152) and in the cautery group, it was 18.9% (228), which was compatible with significant difference (P=0.001).

Conclusion

Our experience with large group of cases revealed that neonatal circumcision by using Plastibell Device with intact frenulum technique decreases the rate of delayed MS.

Assessment of risk factors for surgical complications in neonatal circumcision clinic

INTRODUCTION

Despite the widespread use of circumcision, there is little understanding regarding risk factors associated with its complications. This investigation assesses potential risk factors contributing to complications of circumcision.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all males who underwent a neonatal circumcision in our institution's pediatric urology clinic between January 2015 and June 2017 was performed. Continuous variables were dichotomized to determine a clinically relevant cutoff value. Multivariate regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for primary outcomes (early/late complications) and secondary outcomes (emergency room [ER] visitation, return to operating room, post-circumcision communications).

RESULTS

A total of 277 patients were identified. The mean age and weight were 28.4 days and 4.3 kg, respectively; 93.1% of cases were elective and 12.3% of patients had comorbidities. Circumcisions were performed using Mogen (61.4%) or Gomco clamps (39.6%) under local anesthesia. Overall, 35 patients experienced complications (12.6%). There were 18 patients (6.5%) with bleeding requiring sutures at time of circumcision. Twenty-six patients (9.4%) experienced long-term complications, with penile adhesions being the majority (84.6%). One (0.4%) of these patients had a Clavien-Dindo 3 complication requiring surgery for a skin bridge that could not be separated. One patient (0.4%) visited the ER due to postoperative bleeding from the circumcised area, which was managed conservatively. Multivariate regression analysis identified weight >5.1 kg as a risk factor for bleeding requiring sutures (odds ratio [OR] 4.145; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.246-13.799) and long-term complications (OR 3.738; 95% CI 1.356-10.306). No risk factors were identified for other outcomes (return to operating room, ER visitation, post-circumcision email/telephone communications).

CONCLUSIONS

This investigation of neonatal circumcision revealed that patients weighing >5.1 kg may be at higher risk of bleeding and long-term complications, such as adhesions.

False beliefs predict increased circumcision satisfaction in a sample of US American men

Critics of non-therapeutic male and female childhood genital cutting claim that such cutting is harmful. It is therefore puzzling that 'circumcised' women and men do not typically regard themselves as having been harmed by the cutting, notwithstanding the loss of sensitive, prima facie valuable tissue. For female genital cutting (FGC), a commonly proposed solution to this puzzle is that women who had part(s) of their vulvae removed before sexual debut 'do not know what they are missing' and may 'justify' their genitally-altered state by adopting false beliefs about the benefits of FGC, while simultaneously stigmatising unmodified genitalia as unattractive or unclean. Might a similar phenomenon apply to neonatally circumcised men? In this survey of 999 US American men, greater endorsement of false beliefs concerning circumcision and penile anatomy predicted greater satisfaction with being circumcised, while among genitally intact men, the opposite trend occurred: greater endorsement of false beliefs predicted less satisfaction with being genitally intact. These findings provide tentative support for the hypothesis that the lack-of-harm reported by many circumcised men, like the lack-of-harm reported by their female counterparts in societies that practice FGC, may be related to holding inaccurate beliefs concerning unaltered genitalia and the consequences of childhood genital modification.

CDC's Male Circumcision Recommendations Represent a Key Public Health Measure

Frisch and Earp, opponents of male circumcision, have criticized draft recommendations from the CDC that advocate counseling men and parents of newborn boys in the United States about the benefits and risks of male circumcision. We provide a rebuttal to Frisch and Earp's criticisms and contend that the recommendations are entirely appropriate and merit consideration for policy development.