Comparing the complications of Gomco and classic methods of circumcision

There are different surgical procedures for circumcision. Although the classic method is the most common one, it takes more time and causes more pain and complications compared to other methods. The purpose of this study was to compare the complications and the time taken for performing the surgery for Gomco and classic methods of circumcision.

This case-control study was performed on 80 neonates referred to the outpatient operating room in Shahid Beheshti hospital for circumcision in 2011 and were divided into two equal groups: one group underwent the classic method and another, the Gomco method. The complications were assessed in two phases: during the surgery by counting bloody gauze pads and one week thereafter using the objective methods, then they were analyzed statistically.

The mean age of neonates was 24.8±12.37 days and no significant difference was seen between two groups. The mean operation duration in the classic method (24.3±2.5 min) was approximately two times greater than that of the Gomco method (13.3±2.3 min). Moreover, the amount of bleeding in the classic method (4.1±0.6 cc) was over three times greater than that of the Gomco one (1.3±0.7 cc). No cases of infection were seen in both groups.

Results show that the Gomco method takes less time and causes less pain and fewer complications compared to the classic method and may also be a suitable alternative to the classic method.