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Physiologic stress reduction by a local anesthetic during newborn circumcision
Pediatrics
|January 1, 1983
Summary
The dorsal penile nerve block significantly reduces newborn stress during circumcision. This pain management technique, using lidocaine, led to better physiologic indicators and less crying in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric surgery
- Pain management
Background:
- Circumcision is a common procedure in newborns.
- Assessing and mitigating procedural stress in neonates is crucial.
- Current pain management strategies for circumcision vary.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of the dorsal penile nerve block in reducing physiological stress responses during newborn circumcision.
- To compare stress indicators between neonates receiving a dorsal penile nerve block and those undergoing circumcision without anesthesia.
Main Methods:
- Physiologic measurements (transcutaneous oxygen, crying time, heart rate, respiratory rate) were continuously monitored in 30 healthy, full-term infants.
- Infants were divided into two groups: one receiving a dorsal penile nerve block with lidocaine (N=20) and a control group without anesthesia (N=10).
- Measurements were taken before, during, and after the circumcision procedure.
Main Results:
- Infants who received the dorsal penile nerve block showed significantly less physiological stress.
- This included smaller decreases in transcutaneous oxygen levels and smaller increases in heart rate compared to the control group.
- The block group also exhibited significantly less crying time.
Conclusions:
- The dorsal penile nerve block effectively reduces newborn stress during circumcision.
- The procedure is associated with a low complication rate and is simple to administer.
- Consideration of the dorsal penile nerve block for all infants undergoing circumcision is recommended based on its effectiveness and safety profile.
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