A study of Pastibell caused penile injuries published in Journal of Pediatric Urology, Volume 6, Issue 1, Pages 23-27 (February 2010). Male infant circumcision has risks and complications. The Plastibell in particular is subject to complications because the plastic bell is left on the penis for an extended period with no doctor supervision or monitoring. Complications include extensive skin loss, urethrocutaneous fistulae, and partial necrosis of the glans penis.
The authors concluded, "Proximal migration of the Plastibell ring can result from employment of an inappropriate size, causing grievous penile injury. Adequate information should be provided to mothers of circumcised babies about possible complications of the Plastibell kit when employed. There is a need to redesign the Plastibell kit to eliminate its migration up the penile shaft."
Comments
#1 Erect Penile Hourglass shape
Use of the Plastibell can also cause the erect penis to be shaped like an hourglass when the ring slips down towards the body. The ring cuts off circulation creating a permanent constricting ring scar where the ring was. Further there are usually surgical scars with stitch marks along the shaft between where the ring was and the body. This is where they placed drainage tubes to relieve the swelling of the shaft.
I helped a young man on a restore list with this condition who didn't know why his penis was hourglass shaped when hard. His parents never told him. As he progressed with his restoration, the constricting scar moved toward the tip. I imagine the scar would become a very nice preputial ring.
Tally somewhere two computers ago I have this guy's hourglass picture with permission to use it.
#2 Circumcision complication from Plastibel
I, too, have encountered guys who have a mid-shaft constriction that gives their penis an hourglass shape. Here is one thread on the Foreskin Restoration / Intactivism Network where a man discusses it. He has a picture showing the constriction. The topic is also discussed on another thread on the same forum. It seems that, while not common, there are men who suffer from this circumcision complication.