Effectiveness of 1 percent lidocaine dorsal penile nerve block in infant circumcision

Article Abstract:

To evaluate the merits of an anesthetic agent (lidocaine) as a nerve block to prevent pain during infant circumcision, a prospective, controlled study of 51 infants was carried out. The subjects were divided into three groups: group 1, 23 infants who received a lidocaine penile nerve block involving injection of lidocaine into the base of the penis; group 2, 22 infants who received a saline (inactive) solution injected in the same manner; and group 3, 7 infants who received no injection. During the circumcision and for five minutes afterward, the babies' pulse rates were monitored. Staff members and the surgeon graded infant irritability on a six-point scale, and the surgeon graded bleeding on a three-point scale. Results showed that irritability was significantly less for the lidocaine group than for controls (the other two groups combined). In most cases, observers could identify which infants had been anesthetized, and in all cases, unanesthetized infants were correctly identified. The pulse rates of anesthetized infants did not increase during the procedure, while those of the control group rose by almost 30 percent. Oxygen saturation (a measure of the amount of oxygen attached to its carrier, hemoglobin) declined for the control group, but not for the lidocaine-treated group. The results show that dorsal penile nerve block with lidocaine reduces infant stress during circumcision. It is hoped that more physicians will take this into account and use lidocaine anesthesia for this procedure. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Evaluation, Nerve block, Circumcision, Lidocaine, Pediatric anesthesia

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Indications for examination of spontaneous abortion specimens: a reassessment

Article Abstract:

Analyzing specimens from miscarriages for chromosomal abnormalities may provide information that is useful to doctors and parents in considering future pregnancies. Previously, doctors have not sent specimens to laboratories for chromosome analysis because of the belief that the analysis may not provide useful information. Chromosome analysis has improved because of better technology, and may provide insight into the problem of recurrent miscarriages for some couples. This information may help couples deal with their grief, and may enable doctors to find ways to treat the couple to prevent a future miscarriage. Doctors may assist laboratories by providing uncontaminated tissue specimens from miscarriage for chromosome analysis.

Analysis, Causes of, Chromosomes, Miscarriage, Fetal tissues

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