Infant Male Circumcision: Hospitals’ practice in Saudi Arabia

A recent study looked at the various techniques used to perform infant male circumcision in Saudi Arabia hospitals and clinics by paediatric surgeons.

 In 2018, this cross-sectional survey was conducted. A questionnaire was sent to all podiatric surgery units across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. More than half (56.3%) of the 176 questionnaires were analysed and categorised.

The doctors who performed the infant male circumcisions were:

1. Consultants 63%

2. Specialists 19%

3. Trainees in a paediatric surgery 19%

Circumcisions were performed in Maternity and Children hospitals (32.3%), tertiary hospitals (32.3%), private hospitals (16%) and general or academic hospitals (19%).

The most used method for circumcision was the Gomco clamp (n = 39; 39.6%), followed by Plastibell (n = 30; 30%) and bone cutter (n = 25; 25%). The bone cutter should be avoided as it has a higher complication rate than other Plastibell and Gomco clamps.  

The optimal time for circumcision was in the neonatal period. The surgeons (86%) agree that 2.5 to 5 kg is the optimal weight for the baby to do circumcision.

Circumcision is a religious practice done for every Muslim male in Saudi Arabia.

Trained medical practitioners should do it, and circumcision should not be done by non-medical personnel.

Infant male Circumcision should be performed in the first four weeks of age, and all should have pain relief after the circumcision.

Circumplast devices can replace the Plastibell to prevent migration and other complications of the Plastibell ring.

Ref: Bawazir OA, Sembawa HA. Male circumcision: a practice survey from Saudi Arabia. JKAU Med Sci 2019; 26 (2): 45-51. DOI: 10.4197/Med.26-2.5