Complications of neonatal circumcision requiring surgical intervention in a developing country

Objective: The recent scale-up in neonatal circumcision (NC) may require strategies to reduce complications. This study evaluated complications of NC requiring surgery. Methods: A prospective analysis of 64 patients with complications of NC managed by surgery between June 2006 and May 2012 at the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital Enugu was conducted. Results: Circumcision was performed by nurse in 54 (84.4%) patients, traditional practitioner in 5 (7.8%) and doctor in 5 (7.8%), at a median age of 9 days (range: 2-21 days). Complications noticed 1 day to 7 years (mean: 7.8 months) after circumcision were glanular adhesion in 27 (42.2%) children, meatal stenosis in 14 (21.9%), urethrocutaneous fistula in 11 (17.2%), trapped penis in 5 (7.8%), implantation dermoid in 4 (6.2%) and glans amputation in 3 (4.7%). After treatment, outcome was good in 59 (92.2%) patients, whereas 5 (7.8%) had residual defect. Conclusion: NC may be associated with serious complications in our setting. Adequate training of providers on safe procedure may minimize complications. © The Author [2013]. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.