NYMC Faculty Publications
Immediate Complications of Elective Newborn Circumcision
DOI
10.1542/hpeds.2018-0005
Journal Title
Hospital Pediatrics
First Page
615
Last Page
619
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
October 2018
Department
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence of immediate complications of elective newborn circumcision in 2 community teaching hospitals. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all term neonates who had circumcision performed between August 2011 and December 2014 at 2 community hospitals in New York. Neonatal hospital records and subsequent inpatient and outpatient records were reviewed. We classified complications as minor, intermediate, and major. RESULTS: Out of a total of 1115 circumcisions, 1064 met inclusion criteria. There were 41 complications (3.9%), all involving hemorrhage. Sutures were used to control hemorrhage in 3 patients (0.3%). Local pressure or application of hemostatic chemical agents controlled bleeding in the remainder of patients. Bleeding was more common with the use of the Gomco clamp than with the Mogen clamp. Circumcisions performed with Gomco clamp represented 73.2% of the total complications compared with 26.8% with the Mogen clamp. There were no injuries to structures outside the prepuce or problems requiring medical treatment after discharge from the neonatal hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The most common immediate complication encountered during an elective neonatal circumcision was bleeding that required only pressure or topical thrombin to achieve hemostasis. Bleeding was more common with the use of the Gomco versus the Mogen clamp. To conclude, our data support the theory that elective infant circumcision can be performed safely in a hospital setting.
Recommended Citation
Heras, A., Vallejo, V., Pineda, M., Jacobs, A., & Cohen, L. (2018). Immediate Complications of Elective Newborn Circumcision. Hospital Pediatrics, 8 (10), 615-619. https://doi.org/10.1542/hpeds.2018-0005