[Good results from circumcisions of Muslim boys performed outside the hospital]

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 1999 Mar 20;143(12):627-30.
[Article in Dutch]

Abstract

Objective: To describe the experience with circumcision of Moslem boys under local anaesthesia outside the hospital.

Design: Prospective, descriptive.

Method: A total of 94 circumcisions under local anaesthesia were performed from April through November 1997 in a Health Centre of the Municipal Health Service, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Pain and unrest of the boys were scored on a scale from 1 to 10 by the operating surgeon (1 = no pain/patient fully calm; 10 = unbearable pain/patient in panic). Postoperative follow-up was only done on request of the parents/fosterers. The reasons for these follow-ups were recorded. One week after the circumcision the parents/fosterers were asked if there were any complications and whether they were satisfied with this method.

Results: The median age was 3 years (range: 2-24). The pain during the operation was scored by the surgeon with a median of 1 (1-6) while unrest scored a median of 3 (1-9). Thirteen children were seen again because of bleeding (n = 4), haematoma (n = 2), swelling (n = 7). One week after the operation 89% of 70 parents/fosterers interviewed by telephone were content with the treatment. The social aspect of this way of circumcision was much appreciated.

Conclusion: Circumcisions under local anaesthesia outside the hospital are feasible. Complications were according to published figures and most parents were content. With this procedure a cost reduction of 70% may be achieved in comparison with clinically performed circumcision under general anaesthesia.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / economics
  • Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Anesthesia, Local / economics
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Circumcision, Male / adverse effects
  • Circumcision, Male / methods*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Islam*
  • Male
  • Morocco / ethnology
  • Netherlands
  • Pain Measurement
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Prospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Turkey / ethnology