Comparative Study of Circumcision

Background: Male circumcision is a significant practice in Muslim tradition and is widely performed for religious reasons, especially in Muslim-majority countries like Bangladesh. Objective: This study aims to compare different surgical techniques of male circumcision in children and highlight the complications arising from procedures performed by non-qualified practitioners Quack (Hazam) in Bangladesh. Method: A comparative study was conducted at Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital, Barisal, from December 2022 to February 2023. Two hundred male children were included, with 100 circumcised by pediatric surgeons using guillotine and dorsal slit techniques, and 100 presented with complications from circumcision performed by non-qualified quacks. Results: Out of 200 children, 50% underwent circumcision by quacks using the guillotine method, resulting in complications such as infection (10%), bleeding (4%), glans injury (1%), urethrocutaneous fistula (1%), and incomplete circumcision (4%). Among the 100 children circumcised by pediatric surgeons, complications were minimal, with 2% minor infections, 2% minor bleeding, 1% respiratory distress, and 1% vomiting. The guillotine and dorsal slit techniques performed in the hospital setting demonstrated significantly lower complication rates compared to procedures conducted by quacks. Conclusion: Circumcision performed by trained medical professionals under aseptic conditions is safe and associated with fewer complications. Public awareness and discouragement of procedures by quacks are essential to prevent circumcision mishaps.