Post-circumcision analgesia: comparison of topical analgesia with dorsal nerve block using the midline and lateral approaches.

Forty-five patients undergoing circumcision were allocated randomly to one of three study groups to compare topical analgesia with dorsal nerve block using the midline or lateral approach. Pain scores, side effects and analgesic requirements were recorded after surgery. Patients who received topical analgesia required significantly more fentanyl and had higher pain scores at the 15-min observation period after operation. Fentanyl requirements and pain scores were similar in patients who received a dorsal nerve block using either the midline or lateral approach. The incidence of side effects after surgery was similar in all three groups.