title: Male circumcision performed with 8-figure non-absorbable suture technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We analyze the outcome of circumcisions performed with 8-figure non-absorbable suture (8FNS) and assess the feasibility of using the technique in male circumcision.
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly divided 317 patients who would undergo circumcision between February 2009 and January 2012 into 2 groups. Each group was subdivided into children (age range: 7 to 15 years) and adult (range: 16 to 85 years). In the experiment group (n =166), we used 8FNS and in control group (n = 151), commonly absorbable suture (CAS) were used for the circumcised wound closure. The results of 2 groups were compared. We also performed a cost analysis and a mean 6-month follow-up (range: 1-12). Chi-square and Student's t-test were used in statistical analysis. Differences were considered significant (p < 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No patients were required to remove their sutures postoperatively. Among them, the sutures of the 8FNS for circumcision fell off spontaneously within 9 days (6.2 ± 1.57). There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in surgical duration (16.2 ± 1.73 vs. 15.8 ± 2.01) and follow-up time (6.4 ± 3.82 vs. 6.2 ± 2.39). The overall complication rate of the 2 groups was 6.63% and 10.53% (p = 0.15), respectively. In addition, the complication rate among the adults was significantly lower in the 8FNS group compared to children (2.53% vs. 10.34%, p = 0.04). Also, the average cost (in US dollars) of 8FNS for circumcision was $20.7 ± $3.83 less than $35.8 ± $5.02 of CAS, which is a very significant difference (p < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  8FNS for circumcision is feasible, easy, safe and cost-effective, especially for adult males.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Ren Chong
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Research, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yin Rui
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Wang Hong
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Ji Jing
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Zhou
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Zhang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Yang Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Shuo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Zhang Zhi
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Gang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Yu Guo
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Sheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Research, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xu Jun
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China;
authors.forename: Guo Hong
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Research, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Liu Chun
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Research, Cangzhou Clinical College of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Hebei Medical University, Cangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhu Kun
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Ju