Religious circumcision under local anaesthesia with a new disposable clamp.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results using a new disposable clamp (the Taraklamp Circumcision Device, TCD, Taramedic Europe BV, Bilthoven, The Netherlands), used since 1998 in one clinic, and the conventional dissection technique (CDT) in another clinic, for religious circumcision in infants.


METHODS
The TCD and CDT were compared prospectively; the duration of the procedure, complications and postoperative pain were recorded. The cosmetic result and the degree to which the parents were satisfied were evaluated after 6 weeks. After obtaining informed consent, 275 boys were included in the study (median age 3 years).


RESULTS
The median operative duration was 8 min less for the TCD (15 vs 7 min; P < 0.001). There was no difference in complication rate (bleeding in one vs two; infection in two vs three) and postoperative pain was comparable in both groups. The cosmetic results were better for the TCD group (P < 0.001). The parents' satisfaction score for the procedure was equal in the groups, at 8, on a scale of 1 (very bad) to 10 (extremely good).


CONCLUSIONS
A religious circumcision outside the hospital with the TCD is quicker and leads to a better cosmetic result than with the CDT, without increasing morbidity.
Schmitz
R F
RF
Department of Surgery and Centre for Migration and Child Health, University Medical Centre, Utrecht,Al-Gitaan Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. rschmitz@knmg.nl
Schulpen
T W
TW
Redjopawiro
M S
MS
Liem
M S
MS
Madern
G C
GC
Van Der Werken
C
C
D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012067:Religion; D013525:Surgical Instruments