FORENSIC ISSUES RAISED BY COMPLICATED CIRCUMCISIONS IN TUNISIA

Abstract

Circumcision is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures around the world. This practice that primarily involves minors, tends to be trivialized despite its
risks.
The aim of this study was to present the medical and the
legal aspects of circumcision in Tunisian and compared
law through the study of three cases of severely complicated circumcisions, performed at home by nurses. The first case concerns a 14-month-old infant who died
immediately after a circumcision under locoregional
anesthesia. The second case concerns a 4 years-old boy
who developed necrosis and amputation of the penis due
to the misuse of a unipolar electric scalpel during circumcision. The third case concerns a 5 years-old boy whose
circumcision was complicated by a partial amputation of
the glans.
Circumcision is a serious act which can involve the responsibility of the perpetrator in case of serious complication. A legal frame for religious circumcisions of children
must be set in Tunisia, in order to define the criminal
and civil liability of any person performing this procedure. This legal frame must include classifying this act as
a medical act to be performed by competent and trained
staff in a hospital in order to ensure maximum safety for
children.