[Good results from circumcisions of Muslim boys performed outside the hospital].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experience with circumcision of Moslem boys under local anaesthesia outside the hospital.


METHODS
Prospective, descriptive.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000208:ethnology; D009426:Netherlands; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology