title: Plastibell circumcision supported by a calcium-alginate fibre dressing to reduce bleeding.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the benefit of a new technique of a Plastibell circumcision supported by a ventral calcium-alginate fibre dressing, to reduce bleeding from the frenular vessels, the commonest complication of Plastibell circumcision.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of 200 neonates circumcised in the Royal Bahrain Hospital over a 2-year period from 2012 to 2014. They had a standard Plastibell circumcision, but a calcium-alginate fibre dressing (Hypo-sorb, Plastod, Italy) was placed over the glans and under the foreskin, to help control bleeding from the frenular vessels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circumcision using the calcium-alginate fibre dressing reduced the bleeding complication rate to zero. The delayed separation of the bell was 2.9% when using the new technique and 2.5% from our previous data. There were no cases of urinary retention reported, compared to two in the previous results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A Plastibell circumcision supported by the calcium-alginate fibre dressing was a safe technique to reduce bleeding.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Royal Bahrain Hospital, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Ravisankar G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Royal Bahrain Hospital, Bahrain.
authors.forename: Ziad
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Al Naieb
keywords: Bleeding; Calcium alginate; Circumcision; Neonates; Plastibell