A nonsurgical circumcision device that relies on a rubber band was approved by the World Health Organization on Friday, opening the way for its widespread use in Africa. The device, known as PrePex, is the only adult circumcision method, other than conventional surgery, to gain W.H.O. acceptance. Dr. Eric P. Goosby, the United States Global AIDS Coordinator, said that it would “truly help save lives” and that he was prepared to use funds from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief for it. For a heterosexual man in countries where AIDS is common, being circumcised lowers the chance of getting infected by about 60 percent. In the past few years, the United States has paid for more than two million circumcisions in Africa; the W.H.O.’s goal is 20 million by 2015. PrePex can be quickly put in place by a two-nurse team. The foreskin dies from the pressure of the rubber band in a grooved ring, and drops off or is clipped off a week later. The procedure uses only topical anesthesia and is safer than surgery.