Abstract

Introduction: Circumcision is performed as a requirement of religious beliefs in our country. The increasing demands during the summer holidays result in a busy schedule in Pediatric Surgery Clinics and unfortunately specialist physicians can not meet the demands. Patients may then be circumcised under inappropriate conditions without adequate medical equipment by people called circumcisers. The aim of this study was to offer an alternative solution to pediatric surgeons for circumcision working at state hospitals.

Materials and Methods: Cases presenting to Denizli State Hospital Pediatric Surgery Clinic for circumcision were divided into two groups. Cases older than 6 years who could easily communicate constituted the local anesthesia group while cases aged 0-6, older than 6 years but shy, and cases with additional anomalies determined in the physical examination constituted the general anesthesia group.

Results: Between June 1 and September 31, 2010, 876 cases were circumcised in our clinic. 676 cases (77.2 %) with an age range of 6-17 were circumcised under local anesthesia by one pediatric surgeon with the help of two healthcare staff trained on the subject, while 176 cases (17.6 %) aged 0-6, 25 cases (2.8 %) with adjustment problems and 21 cases (2.4 %) with additional anomalies determined in the physical examination were circumcised under general anesthesia.

Discussion: Pediatric surgeons working at state hospitals can teach their preferred fast, practical and healthy circumcision technique to auxiliary staff and then circumcise a large number of children under local anesthesia.