Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An Analysis of Bias Regarding Circumcision in American Medical Literature

  • Chapter
Male and Female Circumcision

  • 677 Accesses

Abstract

Publication bias is a multi-faceted phenomenon. There is no question that it exists. The question is how to eliminate it. The elimination of publication bias in American medical publishing cannot be accomplished, however, until its most obvious features have been revealed and analysed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Goldbeck-Wood S. Citing of research shows national bias. BMJ 1997;315:766.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Goldbeck-Wood S. Gender bias exists in research. BMJ 1997;315:766.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Goldbeck-Wood S. Blinding reviewers to authors’ identity does not improve quality. BMJ 1997;315:766.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Smith R. Peer review: reform or revolution? Time to open up the black box of peer review. BMJ 1997;315:759–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. National Center for Health Statistics 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Wallerstein E. Circumcision: An American Health Fallacy. New York: Springer. 1980:214–7.

    Google Scholar 

  7. O’Brien T, Calle EE, Poole WK. Incidence of neonatal circumcision in Atlanta, 1985-1986. South Med J 1995;88:411–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ravich A. The relationship of circumcision to cancer of the prostate. J Urol 1942;48:298–9.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Wiswell TE, Smith FR, Bass JW. Decreased incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised male infants Pediatrics 1985;75:901–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Bennett RT, Gill B, Kogan SJ. Epididymitis in children: the circumcision factor? J Urol 1998;160:1842–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Fink AJ. A possible explanation for heterosexual male infection with AIDS. N Engl J Med 1986:315:1167.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Schoen EJ. The status of circumcision of newborns. N Engl J Med 1990:322:1308–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Editors’ note: The acronym INTACT actually stands for “Infants Need To Avoid Circumcision Trauma.” This organisation was absorbed into NOCIRC in the late 1980s.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Schoen EJ. The status of circumcision of newborns N Engl J Med 1990;322:1308–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Thompson HC, King LR, Knox E, Korones SB. Report of the ad hoc task force on circumcision. Pediatrics 1975;56:610–1.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Burger R, Guthrie TH. Why circumcision? Pediatrics 1974;54:362–4.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Ahmann S. Academy holds fast to position on circumcision. Pediatric News 1986;20(9):3, 38-9.

    Google Scholar 

  18. see: Schoen EJ. The status of circumcision of newborns N EngI J Med 1990;322:1308–12.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Schoen EJ. Circumcision updated—indicated? Pediatrics 1993;92:860–1.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Schoen EJ. The relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis. CA Cancer J Clin 1991;41:306–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Cutler SJ, Young JL Jr. Third national cancer survey: incidence data. Bethesda. MD. US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare, Public Health Service. 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Frisch M, Friis S, Kjaer SK, Melbye M. Falling incidence of penis cancer in an uncircumcised population (Denmark 1943-90). BMJ 1995;311:1471.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Maiche AG. Epidemiological aspect of cancer of the penis in Finland. EurJ Cancer Prev 1992;1:153–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Cendron M, Elder JS, Duckett JW. Perinatal urology. In: Campbell’s Urology. 7th edition. Vol. 3. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Company. 1998:2151.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Wiswell TE, Bass JW. Decreased incidence of urinary tract infections in circumcised male infants. Pediatrics 1985:75:901–3.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Wiswell TE. Circumcision—an update. Curr Probl Pediutr 1992;22:424–31.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Kjaer SK, De Villiers E-M, Dah1 C, Enghold G, Bock JE, Vestergaard BF, Lynge E, Jensen OM. Case-control study of risk factors for cervical neoplasia in Denmark. I: role of the “male factor” in women with one lifetime sexual partner. Int J Cancer 1991;48:39–44.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Stem E, Lachenbruch PA. Circumcision information in a cancer detection center population. J Chronic Dis 1968;21:117–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Aitken-Swan J, Baird D. Circumcision and cancer of the cervix. Br J Cancer 1965;19:217–27.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Terris M, Wilson F, Nelson JH Jr. Relation of circumcision to cancer of the cervix. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1973;117:1056–66.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Seed J, Allen S, Mertens T, Hudes E, Serufilira A, Carael M, Karita E, Van de Perre P, Nsengummuremyi F. Male circumcision, sexually transmitted disease, and risk of HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr Hum Retrovirol 1995;8:83–90.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Moses S, Plummer FA, Bradley JE, Ndinya-Achola JO, Nagelkerke NJD, Ronald AR. The association between lack of male circumcision and risk of HIV infection: a review of the epidemiological data. Sex Transm Dis 1994;21:201–10.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Schepers D. Pioneer leaves his mark on pediatric education: Gellis’ legacy rooted in students, colleagues, family. AAP News 1997;13(2):26.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Gellis SS. Circumcision. Am J Dis Child 1978;132:1168–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Gellis SS. Circumcision. Am J Dis Child 1979;133:1079–80.

    Google Scholar 

  36. McCarty JE Reaction to anesthesia killed baby boy, report says Cleveland Plain Dealer (Wednesday, October 21, 1998): http://www.cleveland.com/news/pdnews/metro/crainbow.phtml.

  37. Wiswell TE. Circumcision circumspection. N Engl J Med 1997;336:1244–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Maden C, Sherman KJ, Beckmann AM, Hislop TG, Teh C-Z, Ashley RL, Daling JR. History of circumcision, medical conditions, and sexual activity and risk of penile cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1993;85:19–24.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Schoen EJ, Anderson G, Bohon C, Hinman F Jr, Poland RL, Wakeman EM. Report of the task force on circumcision. Pediatrics 1989;84:388–91.

    Google Scholar 

  40. Wiswell TE. Circumcision—an update. Curr Probl Pediatr 1992;22:424–31.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Schoen EJ, Anderson G, Bohon C, Hinman F Jr, Poland RL, Wakeman EM. Report of the task force on circumcision. Pediatrics 1989;84:388–91.

    Google Scholar 

  42. Vital Statistics of the United States 1973. Rockville, Md, Public Health Service. US Department of Health, Education, and Welfare. 1977. vol. 2. part A.

    Google Scholar 

  43. Annunziato D, Goldblum LM. Staphyloccal scalded skin syndrome. Am J Dis Child 1978;132:1187–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. Speert H. Circumcision of the newborn. Obstet Gynecol 1953;2:164–72.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Racher P. Grand jury to probe death of baby after circumcision. Des Moines Register. (November 20, 1982):3A.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Associated Press Boy in coma most of his 6 years dies. The State (Columbia, South Carolina) (July 10, 1992):5B.

    Google Scholar 

  47. Rogers P, Wallace R. Infant bleeds to death after being circumcised. Miami Herald (June 26, 1993):B1–B2.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Lum L, SoRelle R. Boy’s autopsy results expected five-year-old lapsed into coma following circumcision. Houston Chronicle (July 28, 1995):28A.

    Google Scholar 

  49. Associated Press Circumcision that didn’t heal kills boy: the boy’s circumcision wasn’t healing properly. News Net 5. (October 20, 1998): http://www.newsnet5.com/news/stories/news-981020-051123.html.

  50. Foley JM. The unkmdest cut of all. Fact 1966;3(4):2–9.(July 1966). [here, p. 5.].

    Google Scholar 

  51. Foley JM. The unkindest cut of all. Fact 1966;3(4):2–9.(July 1966). [here, p. 5.].

    Google Scholar 

  52. Wiswell TE. Do you favor... routine neonatal circumcision? Yes Postgrad Med 1988;84:98,100,102, 104, passim.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Gluckman GR, Stoller ML, Jacobs MM, Kogan BA. Newborn penile glans amputation during circumcision and successful reattachment. J Urol 1995;153:778–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Bliss DP Jr, Healey PJ, Waldhausen JHT. Necrotizing fasciitis after Plastibell circumcision. J Pediatr 1997;131:459–62.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Sherman J, Borer JG, Horowitz M, Glassberg KI. Circumcision: successful glanular reconstruction and survival following traumatic amputation. J Urol 1996;156:842–844.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Strimling BS. Partial amputation of glans penis during Mogen clamp circumcision. Pediatrics 1996;87:906–7.

    Google Scholar 

  57. Connelly KP, Shropshire LC, Salzberg A. Gastric rupture associated with prolonged crying in a newborn undergoing circumcision. Clin Pediatr Phila 1992;31:560–1.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Gearhart JP, Rock JA. Total ablation of the penis after circumcision with electrocautery: a method of management and long-term followup. J Urol 1989;142:799–801.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Belman AB. Electrocautery circumcision. Urology 1981;18:506–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Peters KM, Kass ET. Electrosurgery for routine pediatric penile procedures J Urof 1997;157:1453–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Gearhart JP Editorial comment on: Peters KM, Kass EJ. Electrosurgery for routine pediatric penile procedures. J Urol 1997;157:1453–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  62. Diamond M, Sigmundson HK. Sex reassignment at birth: long-term review and clinical implications. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 1997;151:298–304.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Money J. Ablatio penis: normal male infant sex-reassigned as a girl. Arch Sex Behav 1975;4:65–71.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. Colapinto J. The true story of John/Joan. Rolling Stone (December 11, 1997:54–8, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-3, 92, 94-7. passim.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Colapinto J. The true story of John/Joan. Rolling Stone (December 11, 1997:54–8, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 72-3, 92, 94-7. passim.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Moses S, Bailey RC, Ronald AR. Male circumcision: assessment of health benefits and risks. Sex Transm Inf 1998;74:368–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  67. Taylor JR, Lockwood AP, Taylor AJ. The prepuce; specialized mucosa of the penis and its loss to circumcision. Br J Urol 1996;77:291–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  68. Winkelmann RK. The erogenous zones: Their nerve supply and significance. Proceedings of the Staff Meetings at the Mayo Clinic 1959;34(2):39–47.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Winkelmann RK. The cutaneous innervation of human newborn prepuce. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1956 26(1):53–47.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Bourlond A, Winkelmann RK. [The innervation of the prepuce of the newborn infant]. Archives Belges de Dermatologie et de Syphiligraphie 1965;21(2):139–53.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Bazett HT, McGlone B, Williams RG, Lufkin HM. Depth, distribution and probable identification in the prepuce of sensory end-organs concerned in sensations of temperature; thermometric conductivity. Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry 1932;27:484–515.

    Google Scholar 

  72. De Girolano A, Cecio A. Contributo alla conoscenza dell’innervazione sensitiva del prepuzio nell’uomo. Bollettino della Societa Italiana de Biologia Sperimental 1968;44:1521–2.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Ohmori D. Über die Entwicklung der Innervation der Genitalapparate als Peripheren Aufnahmeapparat der Genitalen Reflexe. Zeitschrifl für Anatomie und Entwicklungsgeschichte 1924;70:347–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  74. Moses S, Bailey RC, Ronald AR. Male circumcision: assessment of health benefits and risks. Sex Transm Inf 1998;74:368–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. For an example of the use of a biothesiometer to measure penile sensory levels, see: Xin ZC, Choi YD, Rha KH, Choi HK. Somatosensory evoked potential in patients with primary premature ejaculation. J Urol 1997;158:451.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. For examples of such reports, see: Bigelow J. The Joy of Uncircumcising! 2nd edition. Aptos: Hourglass. 1995. see also: Kreuger WE. Circumcised at 30. In: Erickson JA, ed. In Memory of the Sexually Mutilated Child. 1998. http://www.datasync.com.SexuallyMutilatedChild/kreuger.htm.

    Google Scholar 

  77. Moses S, Bailey RC, Ronald AR. Male circumcision: assessment of health benefits and risks. Sex Transm Inf 1998;74:368–73.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  78. Levy DM. Psychic trauma of operation in children. Am J Dis Child 1945;69:7–25.

    Google Scholar 

  79. Cansever G. Psychological effects of circumcision. Br J Med Psycho1 1965;38:321–31.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Ozturk OM. Ritual circumcision and castration anxiety. Psychiatry 1973;36:49–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  81. Schoen EJ. Benefits of newborn circumcision: is Europe ignoring medical evidence? Arch Dis Child 1997;77:258–60.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. See: Hammond T. Long-term consequences of neonatal circumcision: a preliminary poll of circumcised males. In: Denniston GC, Milos ME Sexual Mutilations: A Human Tragedy. New York and London. Plenum. 1997:125–9.

    Google Scholar 

  83. Anand KJS, Hickey PR. Pain and its effects in the human neonate and fetus. N Engl J Med 1987;317:1321–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  84. Schoen EJ, Anderson G, Bohon C, Hinman F Jr, Poland RL, Wakeman EM. Report of the task force on circumcision. Pediatrics 1989;84:388–91.

    Google Scholar 

  85. Weiss GN, Weiss EB. A perspective on controversies over neonatal circumcision. Clin Pediatr Phila 1994;33:726–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  86. Fitzgerald M. Pain and analgesisa in neonates Trends Neurosci 1987;10:344–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  87. Fleiss PM, Hodges FM, Van Howe RS. Immunological functions of the human prepuce. Sex Transm Inf 1998;74:364–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  88. De Vincenzi I, Mertens T. Male circumcision: a role in HIV prevention? AIDS 1994;8:153–60.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Kreiss JK, Hopkins SG. The association between circumcision statues and human immunodeficiency virus infection among homosexual men. J Infect Dis 1993;168:1404–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Kreiss JK, Hopkins SG. The association between circumcision statues and human immunodeficiency virus infection among homosexual men. J Infect Dis 1993;168:1404–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  91. Cupp MR, Malek RS, Goellner JR, Smith TF, Espy MJ. The detection of human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid in intraepithelial, in situ, verrucous and invasive carcinoma of the penis. J Urol 1995;154:1024–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  92. Schoen EJ. Opinion: the relationship between circumcision and cancer of the penis CA Cancer J Clin 1991;41:306–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  93. Wolbarst AL. Circumcision and penile cancer. Lancet 1932;1:150–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  94. Dagher R, Selzer ML, Lapides J. Carcinoma of the penis and the anti-circumcision crusade. J Urol 1973;110:79–80.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  95. Hardner GJ, Bhanalaph T, Murphy GP, Albert DJ, Moore RH. Carcinoma of the penis: analysis of therapy in 100 consecutive cases. J Urol 1972;108:428–30.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  96. Dean AL, Dean AL Jr. Tumors of the penis, urethra, scrotum, and testes. In: Campbell MF, ed. Urology. 2nd ed. vol. 2. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co. 1963:1229.

    Google Scholar 

  97. Dean AL Jr. Epithelioma of the penis. J Urol 1935;33:252–83.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Wolbarst AL. Circumcision and penile cancer. Lancet 1932;1:150–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  99. Persky L. Epidemiology of cancer of the penis Recent Results Cancer Res 1977;60:97–109.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  100. Licklider S. Jewish penile carcinoma. J Urol 1961;86:98.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  101. Auster LS. Genital cancer in Jews. N Y State J Med 1965;65:266–40.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  102. Marshall VF. Should circumcision of infant males be routine. Medical Record and Annals 1954;48:790–2.

    Google Scholar 

  103. Hand EA. History of circumcision. Journal of the Michigan State Medical Society 1950;49:573–4, 578, passim.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  104. Dean AL Jr. Epithelioma of the penis. J Urol 1935;33:252–83.

    Google Scholar 

  105. Bleich AR. Prophylaxis of penile carcinoma. JAMA 1950;143:1054–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  106. Wolbarst AL. Circumcision and penile cancer. Lancet 1932;1:150–3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  107. Mueller ER, Steinhardt G, Naseer S. The incidence of genitourinary abnormalities in circumcised and uncircumcised boys presenting with an initial urinary tract infection by 6 months of age. [abstract] Pediatrics 1997;100:580.

    Google Scholar 

  108. Stenram A, Malmfors G, Okmian L. Circumcision for phimosis: a follow-up study. Scan J Urol Nephrol 1986;20:89–92.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  109. Gomez J, Puyol M, Menendez V. Secondary megaprepuce. Br J Urol 1996;78:959–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  110. Davenport M. ABC of general surgery in children; problems with the penis and prepuce. BMJ 1996;312:299–301.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  111. Wijesinha SS, Atkins BL, Dudley NE, Tam PK. Does circumcision alter the periurethral bacterial flora? Pediatr Surg Int 1998;13:146–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  112. For examples of this sort of mistaken thinking, see: Schöberlein W. Bedeutung und Häufigkeit von Phimose und Smegma [Significance and Incidence of Phimosis and Smegma]. Münch Med Wochenschr 1966;108:373–7.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. Paul M. Fleiss
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Washington, Seanle, Washington

    George C. Denniston

  2. Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, England

    Frederick Mansfield Hodges

  3. National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers, San Anselmo, California

    Marilyn Fayre Milos

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1999 Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fleiss, P.M. (1999). An Analysis of Bias Regarding Circumcision in American Medical Literature. In: Denniston, G.C., Hodges, F.M., Milos, M.F. (eds) Male and Female Circumcision. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-39937-9_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-585-39937-9_33

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-306-46131-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-585-39937-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation