Circumcision and Sexual Medicine.

INTRODUCTION: Male circumcision is one of the most frequently performed and debated urological procedures due to its possible implications for sexual health. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this article is to review the literature on male circumcision and reconcile the scientific evidence to improve the quality of care, patient education, and clinician decision-making regarding the effects on sexual function of this procedure. METHODS: A review of the published literature regarding male circumcision was performed on PubMed. The criteria for selecting resources prioritized systematic reviews and cohort studies pertinent to sexual dysfunction, with a preference for recent publications. RESULTS: Despite the conflicting data reported in articles, the weight of the scientific evidence suggests there is not sufficient data to establish a direct association between male circumcision and sexual dysfunction. CONCLUSION: This review provides clinicians with an updated summary of the best available evidence on male circumcision and sexual dysfunction for evidenced-based quality of care and patient education.

Examining Clinical Practice Guidelines for Male Circumcision: A Systematic Review and Critical Appraisal Using AGREE II.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and critically appraise available clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) targeting male circumcision using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) instrument. STUDY DESIGN: A literature search was conducted using electronic databases, CPG databases, and national/international societies providing recommendations to guide clinical decision making for male circumcision. We selected pediatric-focused CPGs related to male circumcision published between January 2010 and December 2020. Non-English CPGs and publications involving narrative reviews, primary research, training manuals, patient and allied health professional guidelines, and technical guides were excluded from our search. Complete CPG documents (including full-text articles, supplemental documents, and associated information) were reviewed. Quality appraisal of CPGs was conducted in accordance with the AGREE II manual. RESULTS: A total of 163 CPGs were identified, of which 93 were screened and 13 were reviewed. All AGREE II domains demonstrated good to excellent interrater reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72-0.89) to 0.93 (95% CI, 0.90-0.95). Most CPGs performed satisfactorily in the clarity of presentation domain and performed poorly in the applicability and editorial independence domains. The top 3 CPGs identified were those of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Canadian Urological Association. Consistencies among the CPGs were demonstrated across most recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Current CPGs are of variable quality, and our findings should be taken into consideration by clinicians and health care professionals when selecting appropriate guidelines for male circumcision.

Creation of a pioneering interdisciplinary genital dermatology unit for Hispanic men: First 269 patients.

The role of circumcision in partially protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other dermatoses has been documented. Neonatal circumcision is not routinely practiced in South America. Although it is logical to assume that male genital dermatoses are more prevalent in Hispanic men, they are underrepresented in the existing literature. Objective: To describe the epidemiological characteristics from our male genital dermatology unit in Montevideo (Uruguay), the diagnoses, and correlate them with circumcision status and comorbidities. Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted. A dermatologist and urologist evaluated all patients using standard questionnaires. In 3 years and 8 months, 269 patients were seen. Median age was 41, prevalence of neonatal circumcision was 0.7%, HIV was 4.2%, STIs were 24.9%, non-STIs were 63.9%, and both (STI + non-STI) were 11.2%. Most frequent entities: eczema/balanoposthitis (27.1%), condyloma (24.9%), and lichen sclerosus (15.6%). Data correlating circumcision and other diagnoses did not reach statistical significance. HIV was positively associated with other STIs (p < 0.05), and an association with balanoposthitis was seen; however, it did not reach statistical significance (p < 0.1). Main limitation was small sample size. This is the first study of its kind based on Hispanic patients. Collaboration between specialties proved to be fundamental. Further studies are needed in this demographic to find an association between circumcision, comorbidities, and genital dermatoses.

Postoperative aesthetic and healing features of postectomy using three different surgical techniques: a randomized, prospective, and interdisciplinary analysis / Aspectos estético e cicatricial pós-operatórios da postectomia por três diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas: análise randomizada, prospectiva e interdisciplinar

ABSTRACT Objective: to compare the postoperative esthetic and healing aspects of postectomy performed by different surgical techniques, based on the evaluation of different specialty expert professionals. Methods: prospective and randomized clinical trial enrolling 149 preschool children with a medical indication for circumcision, divided into three groups: postectomy with the hemostatic device Plastibell® (PB group), conventional technique (CV group) and conventional with subcuticular stitches (SC group). Pictures were taken from patients at pre-defined angles on the 30th and 60th postoperative days. Photos were evaluated by three specialists (dermatologist, pediatrician and plastic surgeon), who assigned scores from 1 to 5 regarding the esthetic and healing features at each moment. Grades 4 or 5 from all specialists characterized "best result". Data were analysed to compare the used surgical techniques, the judgments from specialties and postoperative complications. Results: most of the patients obtained the "best result" regarding healing (70%) and esthetics (56%). The final overall result showed the PB group as the best for healing (p=0.028) and the SC group as the best for esthetics (p=0.002). For the dermatologist, on the 60th postoperative day, the CV group presented the worst aesthetic result, whereas for the pediatrician and the plastic surgeon, the PB group presented the best healing result and the SC group had the best esthetic result. There was no difference between the groups regarding the presence of complications. Conclusion: the most common surgical techniques used to perform postectomy in children were differently assessed regarding healing and esthetic features by distinct medical professionals. The analysis of these two parameters among experts from related areas diverged among them and over time.

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar os aspectos estético e cicatricial pós-operatórios (PO) de pacientes submetidos a postectomia por diferentes técnicas cirúrgicas a partir da avaliação de profissionais experientes de áreas afins. Método: ensaio clínico prospectivo e randomizado, incluindo 149 meninos em idade pré-escolar com indicação médica de postectomia, divididos em três grupos: postectomia com dispositivo hemostático Plastibell® (grupo PB), técnica convencional (grupo CV) e convencional com pontos subcuticulares (grupo SC). Os pacientes foram fotografados em ângulos predefinidos no 30º e 60º dias de PO e as fotos avaliadas por três especialistas (dermatologista, pediatra e cirurgião plástico) que atribuíram notas entre 1 e 5, quanto aos aspectos estético e cicatricial em cada momento. Notas 4 ou 5 de todos os especialistas caracterizaram o "melhor resultado". Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística para comparar as técnicas cirúrgicas, as avaliações dos especialistas e as complicações pós-operatórias. Resultados: a maioria dos pacientes obteve "melhor resultado" cicatricial (70%) e estético (56%). O resultado geral final apontou o grupo PB como superior quanto à cicatrização (p=0,028) e o grupo SC quanto ao aspecto estético (p=0,002). Para o dermatologista, na segunda avaliação, o grupo CV apresentou o pior resultado estético, enquanto para o pediatra e o cirurgião plástico, o grupo PB apresentou o melhor resultado cicatricial e o grupo SC o melhor resultado estético. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto à presença de complicações. Conclusão: as técnicas cirúrgicas mais empregadas para realizar postectomia em crianças foram avaliadas quanto aos resultados cicatricial e estético de distintas maneiras. A análise desses dois parâmetros entre especialistas de áreas afins divergiu entre eles e ao longo do tempo.

"Getting to Zero New HIV Infections in the Caribbean": Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Male Circumcision Among Adolescent Males in The Bahamas.

Male circumcision (MC) plays a significant role in reducing new HIV infections, particularly in high prevalence countries. This cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of MC and attitudes toward MC among youth aged 15-18 years in The Bahamas, a medium HIV prevalence country. The survey included 797 young men who completed a questionnaire on MC. Data analyses included chi-squared tests. The self-reported prevalence of MC among youth was 16.7% (121/759). Most of the circumcised youth were circumcised as infants, 84% (107/121) were pleased with their circumcision, and 71% would recommend it to others. For uncircumcised youth, 35% (189/533) would consider voluntary male circumcision (VMC) and 26% would recommend MC to others. In all scenarios, circumcised youth were more likely to be positive about MC. Among uncircumcised young men, being older (17-18 years compared to 15-16 years) was the only variable statistically associated with considering MC or recommending MC. After being presented with information on the benefits of MC for HIV prevention, the number of men who were positive about MC increased. Most of the young men in this cohort would consider VMC for reducing HIV incidence. Also, many stated that, if they had a male child, they would have him circumcised. The attitudes of these youth emphasize the need to provide information on HIV in addition to general health benefits of MC if there were to be a sustainable MC program within this population.

Sexual Pleasure and Function, Coital Trauma, and Sex Behaviors After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Men in the Dominican Republic.

BACKGROUND: Voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) is effective in decreasing the risk of HIV acquisition. As men resume sexual activity after circumcision, it will be important to study their satisfaction with the procedure, sexual pleasure and function, coital trauma, and risk compensation (RC), which can hamper or facilitate the long-term success of VMMC programs. AIM: To assess men's satisfaction with VMMC, sexual pleasure and function, coital trauma, and RC after VMMC. METHODS: This is a cohort study of circumcised men who presented for follow-up 6 to 24 months after VMMC. Logarithmic binomial regression was performed to explore factors associated with any increase in the number of sex partners after VMMC as a measurement of RC. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (i) Men's satisfaction with their VMMC; (ii) sexual pleasure and function after VMMC; (iii) coital trauma; and (iv) RC. RESULTS: Of 454 circumcised men, 362 (80%) returned for a follow-up visit 6 to 24 months after VMMC. Almost all (98%) were satisfied with the outcome of their VMMC; most (95%) reported that their female partners were satisfied with their circumcision. Two thirds (67%) reported enjoying sex more after VMMC and most were very satisfied or somewhat satisfied (94%) with sexual intercourse after VMMC. Sexual function improved and reported sex-induced coital injuries decreased significantly in most men after VMMC. There was an increase in the proportion of men who reported at least two sexual partners after VMMC compared with baseline. In multivariate analysis, having sex with a woman they met the same day (adjusted relative risk = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.4) and having at least two sexual partners at baseline (adjusted relative risk = 0.5, 95% CI = 0.3-0.8) were associated with the outcome of any increase in the number of partners after VMMC. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: VMMC can be offered to Dominican men for HIV prevention without adversely affecting sexual pleasure or function. The procedure substantially reduces coital trauma. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This is the first report of long-term overall satisfaction, sexual pleasure/function and sex behaviors in the context of VMMC outside of Africa. Limitations of the study included the reliance on self-reported sex behaviors, the lack of physiologic measurement of penile sensitivity and the lack of follow up data beyond 24 months, which precludes the assessment of longer term RC. CONCLUSION: The study confirmed men's long-term satisfaction with the outcome of their VMMC. VMMC improved sexual pleasure and function for most men and significantly decreased coital injuries. There was mixed evidence of RC. Brito MO, Khosla S, Pananookooln S, et al. Sexual Pleasure and Function, Coital Trauma, and Sex Behaviors After Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision Among Men in the Dominican Republic. J Sex Med 2017;14:526-534.

Circuncisión masculina para la disminución del riesgo de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana e infecciones de transmisión sexual / Male circumcision for reducing risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections.i en

La circuncisión consiste en cortar una porción del prepucio del pene que cubre al glande para dejarlo permanentemente al descubierto. Los motivos más frecuentes para circuncidar son religiosos, culturales o médicos. Muchos científicos, al igual que los autores de este artículo, justifican la circuncisión masculina para la disminución del riesgo de infección por virus de inmunodeficiencia humana e infecciones de transmisión sexual. A tales efectos se realizó una revisión bibliográfica para completar así la información disponible en las bases de datos nacionales al respecto.

The circumcision involves cutting a portion of the penis foreskin that covers the glans to leave it permanently exposed. The most common reasons for circumcision are religious, cultural or medical. Many scientists, as the authors of this article, justify male circumcision for reducing risk of infection with human immunodeficiency virus and sexually transmitted infections. For this purpose a literature survey was conducted to complete the information available in national databases.

Aceptabilidad de la circuncisión masculina para la prevención del VIH por parte de migrantes mexicanos / Acceptability of male circumcision for HIV prevention among Mexican migrant men

Objetivos. Explorar factores culturales que inciden en la aceptabilidad de la circuncisión masculina como estrategia de prevención del VIH en comunidades de migrantes en México. Material y métodos. Estudio cualitativo mediante entrevistas a profundidad a 20 varones, a 5 mujeres parejas de migrantes y a 5 profesionistas de la salud, en dos comunidades rurales de Michoacán. Resultados. Aunque los varones aceptarían la circuncisión en caso de prescripción médica, existe un desconocimiento casi total del procedimiento, lo cual genera reacciones de temor y desconfianza. Esto sugiere una distancia entre aceptar y llevar a cabo dicho método. El personal médico consideró ambigua su promoción en comunidades rurales ante el desconocimiento sobre su efectividad y por falta de consentimiento informado. Conclusión. No existe antecedente cultural que pueda alojar la circuncisión masculina para prevención del VIH de manera positiva en la experiencia de los entrevistados.

Objectives. To explore cultural factors that influence the acceptability of male circumcision as a strategy for HIV prevention in migrant communities in Mexico. Materials and methods. Qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 men, 5 female partners of male migrants, and 5 health professionals in two rural communities in Michoacan. Results. Although male immigrants would accept circumcision if recommended by a doctor, they know almost nothing about what the procedure involves, which generates fear and distrust. As a result, there is considerable distance between theoretically accepting the practice and actually becoming circumcised. Medical staff also expressed ambivalence about promoting male circumcision in rural communities in light of little knowledge about its effectiveness and concerns about informed consent. Conclusion. Based on the experiences of our interviewees, currently there are no cultural interpretations that would effectively facilitate the promotion of male circumcision for the prevention of HIV.

Attitudes towards male circumcision among attendees at a sexually transmitted Infection Clinic in Kingston, Jamaica / Actitudes hacia la circuncisión masculina entre los asistentes a la Clínica de Infecciones transmitidas sexualmente en Kingston, Jamaica

OBJECTIVE: To describe the attitudes of Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) clinic attendees towards male circumcision. DESIGN AND METHODS: A convenience sample of attendees at the main STI clinic in Kingston was interviewed using a structured questionnaire in June 2008. RESULTS: One-hundred men and 98 women were interviewed. Over 90% of the men were not circumcised. Although 60% of men and 67% of women reported that they had heard of circumcision, the research nurse assessed that 28% of men and 40% of women actually understood what circumcision was. When asked about the benefits of circumcision, 32% of men and 41.8% of women said that circumcision makes it easier to clean the penis while 13% of men and 20.4% of women said that circumcision lessens the likelihood of STI. Twenty-two per cent of men and 13.3% of women said that the foreskin offers protection while 18% of men and 10.2% of women said that the penis looks more attractive when uncircumcised. When informed that research showed that circumcision reduced the risk of HIV, 35% of men said that they were willing to be circumcised and 67.3% of women said that they would encourage their spouse to be circumcised (p < 0.001) while 54% of men and 72.4% of women said that they would circumcise their sons (p = 0.057). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of circumcision and its benefits were limited among STI clinic attendees. Significantly more women than men were in favour of circumcision when informed that it reduced the risk of HIV infection.

OBJETIVO: Describir las actitudes de los asistentes a la clínica de infecciones de transmisión sexual (ITS) hacia la circuncisión masculina. DISEÑO Y MÉTODOS: Una muestra de conveniencia de asistentes a la clínica principal de ITS en Kingston fue encuestada mediante un cuestionario estructurado en junio de 2008. RESULTADOS: Se entrevistaron 100 hombres y 98 mujeres. Más del 90% de los hombres no estaban circuncidados. Aunque el 60% de los hombres y el 67% de las mujeres informaron que habían oído hablar de la circuncisión, la enfermera de la investigación evaluó que el 28% de los hombres y el 40% de las mujeres realmente entendían que era la circuncisión. Cuando se les preguntó acerca de los beneficios de la circuncisión, el 32% de los hombres y el 41.8% de las mujeres dijeron que la circuncisión facilita la limpieza del pene, mientras que el 13% de los hombres y el 20.4% de las mujeres dijeron que la circuncisión disminuye la probabilidad de ITS. El veintidós por ciento de los hombres y el 13.3% de las mujeres dijo que elprepucio ofreceprotección, mientras que el 18% de los hombres y el 10.2% de las mujeres dijeron que el pene parece más atractivo cuando está incircunciso. Cuando se les informó que las investigaciones mostraban que la circuncisión reducía el riesgo de VIH, el 35% de los hombres dijeron que querían ser circuncidados y el 67.3% de las mujeres dijeron que estimularían a sus esposos a quefueran circuncidados (p < 0.001), mientras que el 54% de los hombres y el 72.4% de las mujeres dijeron que harían circuncidar a sus hijos (p = 0.057). CONCLUSIÓN: El conocimiento de la circuncisión y sus beneficios eran limitados entre los asistentes a la clínica de ITS. Un número significativamente mayor de mujeres en comparación con los hombres, estuvieron a favor de la circuncisión cuando se dio la información de que reducía el riesgo de infección de VIH.