Comparison of the Shang Ring With Conventional Surgical Methods

FHI 360400 enrolled

Overview

This is a randomized control trial of 400 adult male circumcision procedures with a one to one ratio between Shang Ring and the in-country standard surgical technique (forceps guided in Kenya and dorsal slit in Zambia).

A randomized control trial of 400 adult male circumcision procedures with a one to one ratio between Shang Ring and the in-country standard surgical technique (forceps guided in Kenya and dorsal slit in Zambia) Population: 400 men (200 at each site), HIV sero-negative men, ages 18-54, living in/around the two clinic sites seeking adult male circumcision Duration: 2-4 months of recruitment; 60 days follow-up per participant; total expected duration of approximately 6 months in the field Primary Objectives: (1) Compare the pain and acceptability of the Shang Ring procedure with the forceps guided surgical circumcision technique (Kenya) and the dorsal slit technique (Zambia) (2) Compare the safety and the course of wound healing, including the time to complete healing, between the Shang Ring adult male circumcision procedure and the standard surgical circumcision procedures (forceps guided in Kenya \& dorsal slit in Zambia); (3) Compare the ease of the Shang Ring method versus standard circumcision surgical procedures Primary Endpoints: (1) To compare the pain \& acceptability of the circumcision methods, we will evaluate the following: post-operative pain; time to return to normal activity; patients' opinions of the Shang Ring and conventional procedures, and satisfaction with cosmetic results. (2) To compare safety between methodologies, we will clinically compare and evaluate related adverse events and their severity. We will also compare the time to complete wound healing for each method. Complete wound healing is defined as no scab and dry skin by clinical assessment. (3) We will evaluate the ease of surgery based on the duration of surgery and surgeons' opinions.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Enrollment

400

Conditions

Circumcision, Male

Interventions

Shang RingDEVICE

The Shang Ring is a sterile device consisting of two concentric medical grade plastic rings: an inner ring with a silicone band and an outer, hinged ring. The inner ring fits inside the outer ring which will lock when snapped together. The Shang Ring comes in multiple sizes. The appropriate size is determined through use of a measuring strip. To ensure that men cannot remove the device prematurely, the locking mechanism must be broken open using a tool that is similar to a scalpel handle. Then, a pair of special scissors, specifically designed for this purpose, is used to remove the inner ring after healing

Male circumcisionPROCEDURE

A conventional surgical procedure will be performed, per WHO recommendations, involving: drawing a line to mark the amount of foreskin to be cut; cutting off the foreskin; hemostasis; and wound closure with sutures.

Eligibility

Sex: MALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 54 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Must be aged 18 and 54 years; * Must be uncircumcised (on examination); * Must be in good general health; * Must be HIV sero-negative, with documentation of testing no more than one week before the procedure; * Must be free of genital ulcerations or other visible signs of STI (on examination); * Must be able to understand study procedures and requirements of study participation; * Must agree to return to the healthcare facility for the full schedule of follow-up visits after his circumcision; * Must freely consent to participate in the study and sign a written informed consent form; * Must have a cell phone or access to a cell phone; and, * Must agree to provide the study staff with an address, phone number, or other locator information while participating in the research study. Exclusion Criteria: * Has a known allergy or sensitivity to lidocaine or other local anesthesia; * Takes a medication that would be a contraindication for elective surgery, such as an anticoagulant or steroid; * Has known bleeding/clotting disorder (e.g. hemophilia); or * Has an active genital infection, anatomic abnormality or other condition (e.g. severe obesity, diabetes or sickle cell anemia), which in the opinion of the surgeon, prevents the man from undergoing a circumcision as part of this study; * Is not currently participating in another biomedical study.

Locations (2)

Homa Bay District Hospital male circumcision clinic

Homa Bay, Nyanza, Kenya

Society for Family Planning Clinic

Lusaka, Zambia

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain scores on the Visual Analog Scale

We will ask participants about pain they experienced during and soon after the procedure, and during the recovery period.

Time frame: Within the first 48 hours after circumcision

Number of Participants with Adverse Events as a Measure of Safety and Tolerability

We will classify circumcision-related adverse events, using the detailed definitions of moderate and severe events per standardized protocol definitions, based on WHO recommendations. Most post-operative complications are apparent within six weeks of surgery.

Time frame: Up to six weeks after surgery

Secondary Outcomes

Compare the cost of the Shang Ring procedure versus conventional surgery

Time frame: Three months

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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