Einstein (Sao Paulo) 2012 Sep;10(3):342-346.
Circumcisions for medical reasons in the Brazilian public health system: epidemiology and trends.
Korkes F, Silva Ii JL Pompeo AC
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the epidemiological factors associated to medical circumcision,
based on data from the Brazilian public health system.
METHODS:
Using the Unified Health System public database between 1984 and 2010,
hospital admissions associated with surgical treatment of phimosis were
searched. A total of 668,818 men admitted to public hospitals who underwent
circumcision were identified and included in the present study.
RESULTS:
A mean±standard deviation of 47.8±13.4 circumcisions/100,000 men/year was
performed through the Unified Health System for medical reasons. During the
27-year period evaluated, 1.3% of the male population required circumcision
for medical reasons. [So 98.7% of routine circumcisions are wasted on boys and men who will never need it.] Total number of circumcisions and circumcision rate
increased in childhood, declined progressively after 5 years of age and rose
again progressively after the sixth decade of life. In the regions of the
country with better access to healthcare, 5.8% of boys aged 1 to 9 years old
required circumcisions. [Or were circumcised whether they needed it or not.] From 1992 to 2010 there were 63 deaths associated
with circumcisions (mortality rate of 0.013%).
[That's one death in 7692 circumcisions. In this USA, that would amount to 156 circumcision deaths per year.]
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, yearly circumcision rates could be estimated in Brazil, and a
very low mortality rate was associated with this procedures. Circumcision is
mostly performed in children in the first decade of life and a second peak
of incidence of penile foreskin diseases occurs after the sixth decade of
life, when circumcision is progressively performed again.
[This study was circulated by Prof. Brian Morris, who presumably thinks this is an "acceptable" death rate.]
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