Post-circumcision pain relief: A comparison of penile block and subcutaneous ring block

Seventy five ASA I and II boys age range from 3 months to 10 years undergoing elective circumcision, were randomly assigned to three study groups receiving conventional post operative analgesia by intramuscular route, penile block or a subcutaneous ring block. 0.25% bupivacaine plain was used for both regional techniques. A pain discomfort score and an observer linear analogue scale for pain were documented before induction of anaesthesia and at 10, 20, 30, 60, 120 and 240 minutes after arrival in the recovery room. 23 patients in the control group, 10 in the penile and 12 in the ring block group required additional analgesia in the recovery room. The incidence of nausea and vomiting was the same in all 3 groups. In conclusion ring block was found to be equally effective and technically easier compared to penile block for circumcision.