











We are providing recommendations below that can help avoid
these complications.
Nature of the Problem
Gomco® and Gomco-type Clamps
The use of Gomco® and gomco-type clamps that have been
reassembled by users with parts from different manufacturers,
or that have bent parts or mismatched components, has led
to clamps breaking, slipping, falling off during use, tearing
penile tissue or failing to make a tight seal. Please note that
although Gomco® and gomco-type clamps may appear to
have interchangeable parts, these parts may not always be
safely interchanged because they may vary slightly in
dimensions.
Mogen® and Mogen-type Clamps
The use of Mogen® and mogen-type clamps that have jaw
gap dimensions greater than those in the manufacturer's
specifications, or use of clamps inappropriately sized for
patients, has led to patient injuries. In such cases, the clamp
may allow too much tissue to be drawn through the opening
of the device, thus facilitating the removal of an excessive
amount of foreskin and in some cases, a portion of the glans
penis.
Recommendations
General:
Before performing a circumcision procedure, examine the
clamp to determine that all parts are available, undamaged,
and within the manufacturer’s specification.
Gomco® and Gomco-type clamps:
* If you cannot be certain that a clamp component is part of
the original clamp or if the clamp has stripped threads, a
warped or bent base plate, a bent arm, twisted forks, or a
scored or nicked bell, either contact the device manufacturer
to obtain replacement parts2 or discard the clamp.
* When requesting a replacement part, obtain the assurance
of the manufacturer or supplier that the part ordered is
compatible with the other components of your device. Do not
substitute parts from different clamp manufacturers.
* Make sure that you reassemble a clamp from only its own
parts. Do not mix up parts from different clamps, even from
the same manufacturer, unless the manufacturer has assured
you that the parts are interchangeable.
* If you choose to mark clamp parts to assure that you
correctly reassemble them, ask the manufacturer about the
best way to do this, because some marking methods may
weaken the device or compromise your ability to sterilize it.
Mogen clamp
This clamp was invented in 1954 by Rabbi Harry Bronstein.
Since then it was used mainly in Jewish community for their
sons ritual circumcision. From 1980s, US physicians started to
use the clamp for medical indications of newborn
circumcision. The main principle of the clamp was to 'shield'
the glans from the scalpel while crushing the unwanted
foreskin.
Potential for Injury from Circumcision Clamps
Date: August 29, 2000
Dear Colleague:
This letter is to alert you to the potential for injury from two
commonly used circumcision clamps, the
Gomco®/gomco-type and Mogen®/mogen-type clamps. Both
are widely used during circumcision to remove the foreskin
while protecting the glans penis.
Although research suggests that circumcision is generally a
safe procedure, we are concerned that some serious
device-related complications have occurred. We received
105 reports of injuries involving circumcision clamps between
July 1996 and January 20001. These have included
laceration, hemorrhage, penile amputation, and urethral
damage.
Copyright © 2007 Smartcircumcision.com All Rights Reserved
Mogen® and Mogen-type clamps:
* Ensure that the clamp being used is appropriate for the
patient size. Some manufacturers have two sizes of clamps,
one for adults and the other for infants.
* Periodically measure the gap between the device’s
clamping jaws to ensure that it is within the manufacturer’s
specification.3 Using a device with an inappropriate jaw gap
could allow the tip of the penis to be drawn through the
clamp with the foreskin and inadvertently severed or injured.
Reporting Adverse Events to FDA
The Safe Medical Devices Act of 1990 (SMDA) requires
hospitals and other user facilities to report deaths and
serious injuries associated with the use of medical devices.
This means that if the use of a Gomco/gomco-type clamp or
a Mogen/mogen-type clamp result in a death or serious
injury, you must report that event. We request that you
follow the procedures established by your facility for such
mandatory reporting.
If a circumcision clamp malfunctions, you can report this
directly to the manufacturer. Alternatively, you can report
directly to MedWatch, the FDA's voluntary reporting program.
You may submit reports to MedWatch four ways: online to
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/medwatch/ by
telephone at 1-800-FDA-1088; by FAX at 1-800-FDA-0178,
or by mail to MedWatch, Food and Drug Administration, HF-2,
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
Getting More information
If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact
the Issues Management Staff, Office of Surveillance and
Biometrics (HFZ-510), 1350 Piccard Drive, Rockville,
Maryland, 20850, by fax at 240-276-3356, or by e-mail at
phann@cdrh.fda.gov. Additionally, a voice mail message may
be left at 240-276-3357 and your call will be returned as
soon as possible.
All of the FDA medical device postmarket safety notifications
can be found on the World Wide Web at
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/safety.html. Postmarket safety
notifications can also be obtained through e-mail on the day
they are released by subscribing to our list server. To
subscribe, please visit:
http://service.govdelivery.com/service/subscribe.html?code=
USFDACDRH_10
Sincerely yours,
David W. Feigal, Jr., MD, MPH
Director
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
References and Additional Information:
1. FDA MedWatch Reports, July 1992 through January 2000.
2. IPM Procedure: Circumcision Clamps, Health Devices 2000
January; 29(1):22-3.
3. Hazard: Routine inspection needed for scissors-type
circumcision clamps, Health Devices 1999 Mar; 28(3):115-6.
4. Hazard: Incompatibility of different brands of Gomco-Type
circumcision clamps. Health Devices 1997 Feb; 26(2):76-7.
5. Hazard: Amputations with use of adult-size scissors-type
circumcision clamps on infants. Health Devices 1995 Jul;
4(7):286-7.
6. Hazard: Damaged Allied Healthcare Products Gomco
circumcision clamp. Health Devices 1993 Mar; 22(3):154-5.
What is Mogen clamp circumcision?
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