Improvising on the Fly: Comparison of a Novel Technique for Emergent Zipper Release to a Well-Established Technique in a Simulated Setting

Background

Penile skin zipper entrapment is an emergent medical condition in which the penile skin, scrotal skin, or foreskin gets caught within the teeth of a zipper or the slider itself. This can lead to complications such as urethral involvement, skin loss, or tissue necrosis. We propose a novel technique to aid in the release of entrapped skin utilizing wire cutters directed at the inferior portion of the zipper pull.

Objectives

To describe a novel technique to free entrapped penile skin and compare its performance to the well-established median bar technique in a simulated setting.

Methods

A randomized cross-over design was used to compare techniques on successful release, time to release and tissue injury using an animal model of raw chicken skin entrapped in a zipper. Statistical significance was assessed at p < 0.05.

Results

Twenty-two participants were included. There was no statistically significant difference between the novel technique and the median bar technique regarding successful release (100% vs 95.5%, respectively), median time to release (29.1 vs 26.4 seconds, respectively), or frequency of tissue injury (22.7% vs 27.3%).

Conclusion

Performance using our novel technique for removal of penile skin from a zipper is similar to the median bar release technique regarding. Our novel technique may be a valid treatment option for the release of entrapped penile skin in a zipper mechanism in the emergency department setting.