Pediatric Urologist Severs Glans of Penis During Circumcision

This case involves a child who was circumcised shortly after birth. The surgeon chose to use a Mogen clamp and, according to the medical record, the procedure was conducted without incident. Two years later, the mother of the child noticed something irregular with the infant’s penis and took him for an evaluation. It was determined that the child sustained significant damage to the glans during the circumcision procedure that went unnoticed due to visual obstruction from scar tissue. The child was required to undergo reconstructive surgery and, during the procedure, the surgeon confirmed that part of the child’s glans had been cut during the original procedure.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. What is the Mogen clamp and are there any advantages or disadvantages in using this device?

Expert Witness Response E-005343

The Mogen clamp was invented by Rabbi Harry Bronstein in 1954. It consists of two flat blades that open about three mm. Advantages of the Mogen clamp include ease of use and the absence of a foreign body. Disadvantages of the device include a higher risk of glans injury. Because the Mogen clamp hides the glans, the risk of cutting off part of the glans is increased. The entire glans or significant portions of the glans have been amputated accidentally in at least three reported cases.