Circumcision-Related Complications in Male Children Presenting to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo

Abstract

Background: Circumcision is a common surgical procedure performed in male children in our environment and is often associated with varied complications.

Objectives: This research aims to study the pattern and outcomes of circumcision-related complications seen in male children at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

Methods: This is a retrospective review of all circumcision injuries/complications presenting to the Paediatric surgical outpatient clinic between January 2007 and December 2023. Data collected included ages at presentation and circumcision, clinical features, the cadre of healthcare providers who performed the procedure, the facility where the procedure was performed and the outcome of treatment. Data was analysed in Microsoft Excel 365 as counts, figures and percentages.

Results: Fifty-seven cases were documented during this period. The age at presentation ranged from 13 days to 15 years with a median of 15 months
(IQR 6 months – 2.5 years). Most children were circumcised as neonates (49, 86.0%). The commonest complications were urethral injuries including urethra-cutaneous fistulas (13, 22.8%), avulsion of ventral penile tissue (11, 19.3%) and meatal stenosis (6, 10.5%). Most circumcisions were performed by nurses (35, 61.4%). The commonest repair technique used was a tubularised urethroplasty in 18 (31.6%) with a 72.2% success rate. 

Conclusion: Circumcision is a common surgical procedure carried out by different cadres of healthcare providers in our environment. Urethral injuries are the commonest complications seen in our practice. There is a need to improve the quality of training and monitoring of providers of this procedure.