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

Anthropometric Predictors of Appropriate-Sized Plastibell for Neonatal Circumcision

Background

Using anthropometric parameters to determine the appropriate Plastibell size before circumcision ensures that cumbersome carrying of all the sizes before each procedure is eliminated and also complications reduced.

Methods

Male neonates who presented for routine circumcision by Plastibell method were recruited. Collected on a proforma were their age in days, weight in Kg, stretched penile length (SPL) in cm, penile diameter (PD) in cm and the Plastibell size used by the "circumciser". The routine circumcision was carried out for each neonate according to protocol. P value was set at <0.05.

Results

There were 231 neonates who had Plastibell circumcision. Their mean age, weight, SPL and PD were 15.6(±5.73) days, 3.7(±0.58) Kg, 3.66 (±0.58) cm and 3.79 (±0.64) cm, respectively. Plastibell size 1.3 is the most used (53.6%). There was a positive correlation between weight, SPL, PD, on one hand and Plastibell size , on the other hand with P-values of <0.001, <0.001 and <0.001 respectively. The weight was a weak determinant for Plastibell sizes 1.1 and 1.3: (OR 7.104; 95% CI 1.108 - 45.559; P = .039) and (OR 2.044; 95% CI 1.054 - 3.963; P = .034) respectively. The SPL is also a weak predictor for Plastibell sizes 1.2 and 1.5: (OR 2.176; 95% CI 1.136 -4.136; P = .019) and (OR .043; 95% CI .072 - .984; P = .047), respectively.

Conclusion

The anthropometric parameters correlate well with Plastibell sizes. However, they are not effective in predicting the appropriate sized Plastibell for neonatal circumcision.

Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae: presentations, repairs and outcomes in a tertiary centre

Background

Circumcision is regarded as the most common surgical procedure world over. It is also perceived to be a simple and safe procedure; however, it could be fraught with major urological complications such as urethrocutaneous fistula (UCF). Repair of these fistulae poses a great reconstructive challenge to the paediatric surgeon/urologist with varied outcomes.

Aim

We seek to review the presentations, repair and outcome of post-circumcision UCFs managed in a tertiary centre.

Patients and Methods

This is a retrospective review of all the consecutive cases of repaired post-circumcision UCFs in Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, South-East Nigeria, over a period of 9 years (January 2012-December 2020). Data on demography, size of fistula, type of repair and outcome were retrieved from the Records Department and patients' case notes and were analysed using SPSS (version 22, Chicago, Illinois).

Results

A total of 22 boys had post-circumcision UCF repair within the period, and they were aged between 2 weeks and 108 months with a median age of 4 months at presentation and aged between 8 months and 144 months with a median age of 24 months at the time of surgery. Circumcisions were by freehand technique in 21 (95.5%). Nurses performed most of the circumcisions in 19 (86.4%), and most of the circumcisions were performed in private hospitals 7 (31.8%), maternity homes 3 (13.6%) and general hospitals in 10 (45.5%) each, respectively. Most 17 (77.3%) fistulae were coronal, and the size of defect ranged from 1 mm to 10 mm. The most commonly employed technique of repair was simple closure in 16 (72.2%). Meatal stenosis and re-fistulation occurred in 2 (9.1%) and 4 (18.2%), respectively. Only two (12.5%) required reoperation. There was no relationship between the size of defect and re-fistulation, P = 0.377.

Conclusion

Majority of the Post-circumcision urethrocutaneous fistulae were from free hand technique of circumcisions . These were performed mostly by nurses in general, private hospitals and maternity homes. Hence, there is a need to ramp up training of providers of neonatal circumcision in our environment. Most UCF in children could be repaired with simple closure technique reinforced with dartos flap.

A comparison of anesthetic efficacy between dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) with lidocaine and eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream during neonatal circumcision

Objective

Circumcision is often performed in neonates and is associated with significant pain. This study was conducted to compare the anesthetic efficacy of two methods of local anaesthesia for neonatal circumcision: topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream and dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) with lidocaine.

Methods

Male neonates who presented for circumcision and met the eligibility criteria were recruited for the study and were randomly assigned to one of the two methods of anesthesia before the procedure. Anesthetic efficacy was compared by pain assessment during four standardized steps of the procedure (clamping, crushing, tying, and cutting of the foreskin, respectively) using the modified Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), changes in transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and preoperative and postoperative salivary cortisol levels. Patients also were evaluated after 24 hours to assess for complications.

Results

Totally, 138 babies were recruited. Significantly higher NIPS scores were observed among babies who had EMLA cream during tying (p=0.019) and cutting (p=0.043). The rise in mean HR from baseline was statistically significant throughout the procedure in the EMLA group. In the DPNB group, there was no significant rise in mean HR during crushing (p=0.919) and cutting (p=0.197). There was a significant decrease in mean SpO2 from baseline in both groups. Salivary cortisol showed significant increase in mean levels in both groups. No significant untoward effects were observed.

Conclusion

DPNB with lidocaine has a better pain control compared with EMLA cream during neonatal circumcision. Both methods are safe in neonates.

Evaluation of maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu Nigeria

BACKGROUND

Although circumcision in male neonates is one of the most common procedures performed in neonatal surgery, mothers' preferences concerning the aspects of circumcision are not well-known. Since mother is the likely parent to present child for circumcision, her preferences should be given adequate consideration.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to evaluate maternal preferences for neonatal male circumcision in Enugu.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional study where questionnaire was distributed by the researchers to consenting pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in two teaching hospitals in Enugu. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS. The results presented as means, percentages and tables. Test for significance was done using the Chi-square test.

RESULTS

Four hundred and sixty-one pregnant women participated in the study. Ninety-five percent (438/461) wanted circumcision and 83.5% (385/461) wanted it on or before the 8^th day of life. The reasons were cultural/religious in 69% (302/447). Fifty-four percent (250/461) had no preferences as to methods, but for those who had, Plastibell was most preferred method in 28% (129/461) while 76% (235/309) preferred circumcision to be done in hospital. In 49.2% (227/461) preferred personnel were nurses but 79.6% (367/461) wanted doctors to attend to post-circumcision complications. In 79.2% (365/461), mothers will not insist on the use of anaesthesia for circumcision. Mothers with circumcised husbands were significantly more willing to circumcise a male child (P = 0.0018). Higher educational status of mother was significantly related to willingness to insist on the use of anaesthesia (P = 0.046) and use of analgesics after circumcision (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most mothers prefer neonatal male circumcision by nurses, while preferring doctors for post-circumcision complications. These choices are not affected by parents' educational status. Mothers with circumcised husbands accepted circumcision more than those with uncircumcised husbands. Higher maternal education encourages anaesthesia during circumcision and post-circumcision analgesia.

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of circumcision by freehand technique and Plastibell device in children

Background

Circumcision has been practiced since antiquity and is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy and safety of the two most common techniques: Freehand and Plastibell techniques of circumcision.

Methods

The study was a prospective randomized study that was conducted on uncircumcised males at or below the age of 5 years that presented for circumcision. All boys who satisfied the inclusion criteria and whose parents consented, were randomized into two groups. Group A had freehand circumcision, while Group B had Plastibell circumcision. Patients were followed up at day 7 and day 28 postoperatively. The variables compared were operating time, cost, complications and parents’ satisfaction. All the data obtained were entered into a proforma. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results

A total of 110 boys were circumcised, 55 boys in each group. The median ages in the Plastibell and freehand groups were one and three months respectively. The mean operating time was significantly shorter in the Plastibell group compared to freehand (3.53 min versus 16.7 min). Total cost implication per procedure was also cheaper in Plastibell compared to freehand (₦3700 versus ₦6600). However, complications were more in the Plastibell group compared to freehand (29.1% versus 9.1%; P = 0.008). These complications in Plastibell group were age related. Parents in both groups were equally satisfied with the outlook on day 28.

Conclusion

Plastibell circumcision has the advantage of being faster and cheaper than freehand circumcision. Complications were more in the Plastibell group, and they were found to be age related.