Use of Holmium YAG laser in circumcision: a novel, less complicated and alternative procedure for adolescent

Background To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Holmium YAG laser circumcision in adolescents. Methods Eighty-one patients underwent circumcision for medical reasons, and patients’ requests were collected retrospectively during February 2017 to February 2019. They were divided into two groups: Holmium YAG laser (group 1, n = 41) and conventional group (group 2, n = 40). The guillotine method with a Holmium YAG laser was applied for circumcisions, and all the procedures were performed by a single urologist who was well-experienced with circumcision practices. Results The average age of group 1 was 15.53 ± 7.35 years old, and the average age was 16.34 ± 9.22 years old in group 2. There was no significant difference in age and indications. The average operative time was significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (24.40 ± 3.94 vs. 27.25 ± 4.35 min, p < 0.01). The estimated blood loss was less in group 1 compared to group 2. There were fewer complications in group 1 than in group 2 (3/41 vs. 10/40, p < 0.01) and patients also felt less pain in group 1 ( p < 0.01). All patients tolerated this procedure without severe side effects. Conclusions The use of Holmium YAG laser in circumcision is a novel, less complicated, easy, and less painful alternative procedure for circumcision in young males.