Glans Amputation Following Non-Medical Circumcision: A Case Report from a Refugee Camp Clinic
1 Jackson State University, College of Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Jackson, MS, USA.
2 MERQ Consultancy LLC, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
3 Mekelle University, College of Health Sciences, Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia.
4 Africa Medical College, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
5 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Case Study
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 22(01), 2105-2110
Publication history:
Received on 14 March 2024; revised on 24 April 2024; accepted on 26 April 2024
Abstract:
Introduction: Traditional male circumcision is a deeply rooted cultural practice in Sudan and across Africa, but when performed by untrained providers in resource-limited settings, it is associated with a high risk of serious complications. Catastrophic outcomes such as glans amputation, urethral obstruction, and sepsis, though rare, remain documented threats to infant health.
Case Presentation: We report a 6-month-old male infant from a refugee camp in Sudan who presented with a 3-day history of irritability and complete inability to void urine. One week earlier, he had undergone a traditional circumcision by a local healer during which he sustained complete glans amputation with profuse bleeding. On arrival, the child was febrile, irritable, and mildly dehydrated, with suprapubic distension and a healing penile stump. Improvised urethral catheterization with a nasogastric tube drained 200 mL of turbid urine and relieved retention. Empirical antibiotics were initiated, and the infant was referred for definitive urological care.
Discussion: This case reflects patterns reported in regional studies, where complication rates are markedly higher in traditional circumcisions compared to medicalized procedures. Evidence from Sudan and Chad highlights outcomes ranging from bleeding and infection to partial or complete penile amputations. In our case, delayed presentation and lack of equipment compounded the severity, yet improvisation proved life-saving.
Conclusion: This case highlights the severe risks of traditional circumcision in infants, especially in refugee settings. Early recognition, timely referral, and treatment are vital to prevent life-threatening complications. Culturally sensitive community education about circumcision services are urgently needed to improve child safety.
Keywords:
Traditional Circumcision; Glans Amputation; Urinary Retention; Refugee Health; Pediatric Urology; Low-Resource Settings
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Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0