Suture-Less Circumcision by Glutaraldehyde Albumin Glue Enhanced Laser Tissue Welding—A Comparative Study

Abstract

Background: Suture-less circumcision by Feracrylate glue creates a weak and non waterproob bond. Hence, there is wound dehiscence and delayed healing which favor infection in many patients. I am describing a new technique for suture-less circumcision which is free from above limitations. Methods: In my center in the time span of 2 years, I did 51 cases of circumcision with Laser tissue welding technique (group A). Age range was 5 months to 21 years. During the same time span, in 56 patients circumcision was done by Feracrylate glue (group B). The age range was 3 months to 22 years. This group was kept as a control. Patients in both groups were randomly distributed. The technique of circumcision by Laser tissue welding is as follows. Patient is under short GA, the prepuce above the artery forceps is chopped off by scissors and bleeders are coagulated by bipolar cautery. Now, 0.9 ml 40% human albumin is taken in 1 ml syringe and mixed with 0.1 ml of 10% glutaraldehyde solution. The syringe is shaken vigorously to mix both the components. The skin and mucosa of penis are held by tooth forceps and a thin layer of this mixture is layered over it all around. Infrared Laser of 5 watts power and 850 nm illuminated over this bond for 60 seconds to polymerize it. Results: In group A, 2 (3.9%) patients developed partial wound gape, no patient had complete wound gape. 3 (5.88%) patients had grade 2 infections which settled with conservative treatment of oral antibiotics. In group B, 6 (10.71%) patients had partial wound gape and 8 (14.28%) patients had complete wound gapping. 11 (19.64%) patients developed grade 2 and 8 (14.28%) patients grade 3 wound infection. All these 19 patients’ post-operative antibiotics were started and given for 7 - 10 days. The Glutaraldehyde albumin mixture bond is already described in medical literature (Bioglue) for its use to seal coronary anastomosis after CABG operation, to seal sutures of cardiac surgery and for aortic dissection, etc. It is a surgical adhesive composed of purified bovine serum albumin (BSA) and glutaraldehyde and is already American FDA approved. It creates a flexible mechanical seal independently of the body’s clotting mechanism. In my technique, 0.9 ml of 40% human albumin is mixed with 0.1 ml 10% glutaraldehyde solution which costs only 50 cents which is a massive 1000 times cost reduction. Laser application polymerizes the glue and forms a waterproob bond in less than a minute. In my technique, percentage of glutaraldehyde used is only 10% compared to 50% in bioglue, hence it is non-toxic to the tissues. Conclusion : Suture-less circumcision by glutaraldehyde albumin glue enhanced Laser tissue welding is a safe, cheap and effective technique of performing circumcision. It is an important advance in circumcision surgery after a long time. The technique becomes a foundation for its vast application in other areas of surgery.