Survey of Dermatologists and Venereologists Shows Varying Approach to Penile Biopsies

OBJECTIVE: To determine frequency of use and safety of epinephrine containing local anesthesia among dermatologists in the United Kingdom and venereologists undertaking penile biopsy. DESIGN: A survey was distributed nationally to members of the British Association of Dermatologists and the British Association for Sexual Health and Human Immunodeficiency Virus in December 2016. RESULTS: Sixty-six responses were received: 36.4 percent of respondents used epinephrine routinely, 16.7 percent sometimes used it, and 47 percent did not use it at all. Epinephrine use was more commonly by dermatologists in either some or all cases (56.8%) compared with venereologists (40%). Only two complications were reported to epinephrine use. Both were temporary without report of necrosis. CONCLUSION: Use of epinephrine-containing local anesthesia is common among physicians in the United Kingdom undertaking penile biopsies. Despite this, no episodes of necrosis were observed. While further investigation is still required, it is likely that use of epinephrine-containing local anesthesia is safe for local penile injection.