Minimally invasive, sutureless, adolescent male circumcision with topical anesthetic: a field trial of Unicirc, a single-use surgical instrument

BACKGROUND: Circumcision has been shown to reduce the rate of HIV transmission in Africa. It is most cost effective if performed in younger men. Surgical assist devices can increase the efficiency and potentially reduce the cost of performing circumcisions. METHODS: We used the Unicirc disposable instrument to perform circumcisions in an outpatient primary care clinic. The trial was non-blinded. Circumcisions were performed under topical anaesthetic and the wound was sealed with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive. The primary outcome was intraoperative duration; secondary outcomes were intraoperative and postoperative pain; adverse events (AEs); time to healing and patient satisfaction; and, cosmetic result. RESULTS: A total of 82 adolescent boys (aged 10–15 years) were circumcised. The median intraoperative time was 10 minutes and the median blood loss was 1 mL. All wounds were healed by 4 weeks and cosmetic results were excellent. There were no AEs. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent circumcision with Unicirc under topical anesthetic and wound sealing with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive is safe, rapid, and heals by primary intention with excellent cosmetic results. It is cost effective and can be used for large scale programs.