Lubrication of circumcision site for prevention of meatal stenosis in children younger than 2 years old.
BACKGROUND
Circumcision is one of the most common surgical operations throughout the world, and meatal stenosis is one its late complications. We evaluated the topical use of a lubricant jelly after circumcision in boys in order to reduce the risk of meatal stenosis.


METHODS
A randomized control trial was performed, in which 2 groups of boys younger the 2 years old underwent circumcision according to the sleeve method. The parents in the study group were instructed to use petroleum jelly on the circumcision site after each diaper change for 6 months. In the control group, no topical medication was used. The children were followed up regularly and evaluated for meatal stenosis, bleeding, infection, and recovery time.


RESULTS
A total of 197 boys in each group completed the study. None of the children in the study group but 13 (6.6%) in the control group developed meatal stenosis (P < .001). Infection of the circumcision site was seen in 3 (1.5%) and 23 (11.7%) children of the lubricant and control groups, respectively (P < .001), and bleeding was seen in 6 (3.0%) and 37 (18.8%), respectively (P < .001). The mean time of recovery in the lubricant group was 3.8 +/- 1.2 days, while it was 6.9 +/- 4.2 days in the control group (P = .03).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings of this study, it seems logical to use a lubricant jelly for reducing postcircumcision meatal stenosis and other complications.
Bazmamoun
Hassan
H
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology, School Of Medicine, Hamadan University Of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran. dbazmamoun@yahoo.com
Ghorbanpour
Manoochehr
M
Mousavi-Bahar
Seyed Habibollah
SH
D000287:Administration, Topical; D002944:Circumcision, Male / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007492:Iran; D054327:Lubricants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008153:Lubrication; D008297:Male; D010577:Petrolatum / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D054327:Lubricants; D010577:Petrolatum