Dorsal nerve blockade for pain relief after circumcision

Summary

In a prospective study, dorsal nerve blockade was compared with intravenous morphine administration for pain relief in children after circumcision. The group receiving dorsal nerve blockade needed significantly less analgesia in the post-operative period. The technique of dorsal nerve blockade is described and is considered particularly suitable for day case paediatric surgery.

In paediatric practice, the popularity of day case surgery has increased, and attempts to minimise post-operative pain have resulted in a greater use of local anaesthesia. Two regional anaesthetic techniques are available for the relief of post-circumcision pain; caudal anaesthesia and blockade of the dorsal nerves of the penis. A comparison of these two forms of regional anaesthesia has been reported (Lunn, 1979). In the present study dorsal nerve blockade was compared with intravenous morphine administration for pain relief after circumcision.