Prospective investigation of penile length with newborn male circumcision and second to fourth digit ratio.
BACKGROUND
We prospectively investigated the relationship between newborn male circumcision (NMC) and second to fourth digit ratio with penile length.


METHODS
As participants for our study, we identified already circumcised young patients who visited our hospital for urological treatment. The age at which the circumcision had been done was assessed. The patients' height and weight were measured. Second to fourth digit ratio was calculated by measuring the second and fourth digit lengths. The flaccid and erectile penile lengths were measured from the base of the penis to the tip of the glans in standing position.


RESULTS
A total of 248 patients were included in our study. In univariate analysis, height, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were associated with erectile penile length. Among these variables, second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were significant predictive factors for erectile penile length in multivariate analysis. The subjects were divided into two groups, including 72 patients in the NMC group and 176 patients in the non-NMC group. No significant difference was found in height, weight, and second to fourth digit ratio between both groups. However, flaccid (p<0.001) and erectile (p=0.001) penile lengths were shorter in the NMC group than in the non-NMC group.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the small number of subjects, this study shows that NMC was associated with shorter penile length. Second to fourth digit ratio, flaccid penile length, and age of circumcision were also significant predictive factors for erectile penile length. Further multicentre studies with larger number of subjects and biochemical analyses are needed for potential clinical applicability.
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Jong Kwan
JK
Park
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
A Ram
AR
Doo
Department of Surgery, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Joo Heung
JH
Kim
Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Gyeonggi, Korea.
Hyung Sub
HS
Park
Department of Urology, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Jung Mo
JM
Do
Department of Urology, Armed Forces Capital Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
Hwang
H
Choi
Department of Urology, Wonkwang University School of Medicine and Hospital, Iksan, Korea.
Seung Chol
SC
Park
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Myung Ki
MK
Kim
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Young Beom
YB
Jeong
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Hyung Jim
HJ
Kim
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Young Gon
YG
Kim
Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Korea.
Yu Seob
YS
Shin
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