Traumatic Penile Amputation Post Circumcision: A Series of 3 Cases

Abstract

Circumcision remains a frequently performed surgical procedure and could be associated with various complications, ranging from mild to catastrophic. Penile amputation is a rare and severe complication usually complex and challenging to manage. We describe three cases of penile amputation injuries following circumcision referred within a week at the urological service of the Yaoundé Central Hospital. The first case was a 5-year-old who had complete penile amputation during circumcision by a nurse assistant at a rural health center. The second was a 7-year-old boy who sustained total penile glans amputation while undergoing circumcision by a nurse under local anesthesia at a rural health facility. The third involved a 6-year-old who had total penile amputation with loss of the amputated stump during circumcision by a traditional practitioner at home. Non-microsurgical penile re-implantations were done with diverse outcomes. The preservation of the amputated stump, the ischemic time and the severity of injury are factors affecting surgical outcome. The aim of this study is to evaluate our management experience and outcome of penile amputation injuries in resource-limited settings. Microsurgical replantation remains the gold standard in the management of penile amputation injuries. However, in resource-limited settings macroscopic replantation could be used as an alternative remedy to salvage the amputated penis.