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.