Circumcision-Related Complications in the Male: Experience amongst the Igbo\'s of Southeast Nigeria

Objectives To evaluate male circumcision and the complications associated with it amongst the Igbo people of Southeast Nigeria. Patients and Methods This study was a prospective review of male circumcision and its complications amongst the Igbo\'s of Southeast Nigeria carried out over a period of six months. It was conducted in three centers (public, private and a mission hospital) in Anambra State (a core Igbo state) of Nigeria. Circumcision was done after birth at any convenient time, and the babies were followed up at the post natal clinic (six weeks after birth) for possible complications. A questionnaire is usually filled at the time of circumcision and completed at the post natal visit. Results A total of 141 circumcisions were performed during the study period. Most of the circumcisions (73.8%) were done between 7 and 9 days after birth. The plastic bell method was used more extensively than the traditional method (68.1% and 31.2%, respectively). The method preferred by the mothers was not statistically different from the method used. The overall complication rate in this study was 24.1%. A higher complication rate was recorded with the use of the traditional method compared to the plastic bell method (43.2% vs. 15.6%, P Conclusion Two factors were responsible for a high complication rate: the use of the traditional method of circumcision and the competence of the performer. It is therefore suggested that circumcision be done by the use of the plastic bell and only by qualified and trained personnel. Complications de la circoncision chez l\'homme: Experience chez les IGBO du Nigeria du sud-est Objectifs: Etude prospective des circoncisions chez l'homme et ses complications dans la region d\'Igbo du Nigeria du sud-est. Patients et Methodes: L\'etude a ete conduite dans trois centres (public, prive et un hopital de la mission) dans Anambra State (au centre de l'etat d'Igbo) du Nigeria pendant une periode de 6 mois. La circoncision a ete realisee apres la naissance, et les bebes ont ete suivis dans la clinique post-natale pour les complications possibles, six semaines apres la naissance. Un questionnaire est rempli habituellement lors de la circoncision et est complete pendant la visite post-natale. Resultats: Un total de 141 circoncisions a ete realise pendant la periode de l\'etude. La plupart des circoncisions (73.8%) a ete faite entre 7 et 9 jours apres la naissance. La methode la plus utilisee est celle de la cloche plastique (68.1%) par rapport a la methode traditionnelle (31.2%). La methode preferee par les meres n\'etait pas statistiquement differente de la methode utilisee. Le taux de complications total dans cette etude etait de 24.1%. Un taux de complications plus important a ete enregistre avec la methode traditionnelle compare a celle de la cloche plastique (43.2% contre 15.6%; P Conclusions: Il est par consequent suggere que cette circoncision soit realisee par la cloche plastique et seulement par un personnel competent. African Journal of Urology Vol.10(4) 2004: 246-251