Prospective evaluation of complications of dorsal penile nerve block for neonatal circumcision.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the complications of the dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) when used for routine neonatal circumcisions.

METHODS

All male newborns born in a community hospital between November 1, 1989 and August 31, 1990, and circumcised after DPNB were evaluated. Questionnaires were completed at the time of hospital discharge and at a health supervision visit 2 weeks later.

RESULTS

Questionnaires were returned for 491 (85%) eligible patients. The only complication of DPNB found was bruising at the site of injection in 54 patients (11%). All bruising had resolved by the 2-week visit, and none was thought to have any clinical significance.

CONCLUSION

DPNB is a safe method of decreasing the pain and stress of neonatal circumcision.