Microdermal Implants Show No Effect on Surrounding Tissue During Surgery With Electrocautery.

BACKGROUND: Microdermal implants are an increasingly popular form of body jewelry. The potential for electrical conduction burn at the site of metal jewelry left in situ during electrosurgery has prompted surgical societies to recommend routine removal before surgery. To date, however, there is a lack of evidence to support this practice. We assessed in vivo thermal effect and tissue damage around implants during and after electrocautery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stainless steel microdermal anchors were surgically implanted into four swine. After allowing for initial healing, negative controls were excised and evaluated. An electrocautery grounding pad was placed 2 cm caudal to the implant. Continuous electrocautery (coagulation/30 W) for 30 s was applied to the skin 2 cm cranial to the implant. Surface skin temperature was recorded during electrocautery using thermal imaging. Tissue damage was assessed by gross examination and histologic evaluation. The same procedure was then performed to the contralateral nonimplanted side as a sham control. RESULTS: Electrocoagulation raised skin temperature around the electrocautery tip 27.7°C (Tmax 64.8°C). Skin temperature around the dermal implant rose 1.58°C (Tmax 38.6°C) compared with 2.03°C (Tmax 39.2°C) in the nonimplanted control skin (P = 0.627). Skin temperatures at implanted and control sites showed no statistical difference at any recorded time interval. Histologic review of excised tissue samples showed no evidence of thermal injury. CONCLUSIONS: Metallic implants appear to have no effect on skin temperature during the use of electrocautery even when in close proximity to both the electrocautery pen and return pad. Aggressive steps to remove microdermal implants before surgery may be unnecessary.

Novel Devices for Adolescent and Adult Male Circumcision.

There is an abundance of devices for adolescent and adult male circumcision (MC). It has been shown that the safety and efficacy of device-assisted MC are equal to or better than those for MC via conventional surgery. MC devices have the potential to simplify the procedure and increase the acceptability of circumcision among patients.

Penile ulceration caused by a foreign body reaction in a crew member on board a cruise ship.

A crew member had a foreign body implanted subcutaneously on his dorsum penis stealthily 6 years earlier by a fellow crew member without any medical training. He presented to the ship's medical centre after a week of pain, erythema and oedema over the foreign body, which was eventually removed by the patient, leaving behind a penile ulceration. He was treated conservatively initially with intravenous and then with oral antibiotics until complete secondary wound closure was achieved.

Penile modification in young Thai men: risk environments, procedures and widespread implications for HIV and sexually transmitted infections.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and types of penile modification and describe the circumstances surrounding this practice among a sample of young methamphetamine users in Thailand. METHODS: A mixed methods study was conducted in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in 2005-6. One hundred young men were surveyed for the quantitative study and in-depth interviews were administered to 9 men, 11 women and 1 transgender. RESULTS: The prevalence of penile modification was 51%, with the most common type being inlaying with muk(s) (61%). The majority of modifications were performed in prison or juvenile detention (80%) by a friend (90%). Motivations for penile modification included peer pressure and perceived enhanced female sexual pleasure. In prison, the practice was veiled in secrecy, the conditions under which modification was performed were unhygienic, sometimes leading to infection, and sharing equipment was common. Men and women reported that condom use was more difficult post modification as condoms were more likely to break or leak and less likely to fit correctly. In addition, sexual intercourse was often painful for the female partner. CONCLUSION: Penile modification is prevalent in this group of young methamphetamine users and is associated with behaviours and consequences that could facilitate the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.