The impact of the application of a penile block before circumcision on the postoperative FLACC score and analgesic requirement

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of the application of a penile block before circumcision on the postoperative Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) score and the analgesic requirement.

Material and methods: In this study, 240 patients were included, age range 1 to 9 years, between April 2012 and August 2012. A penile block was performed in 125 of the 240 patients (Group 1) and was not performed in 115 of the 240 patients (Group 2). Both groups were compared in terms of age, operation times, FLACC score and analgesic requirement.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 4.8±2.1 years in Group 1 and 5.3±3.1 years in group 2 (p=0.126). The mean operation time was 14.9±5.1 min in Group 1 and 15.2±6.2 min in Group 2 (p=0.242). The mean FLACC score of the patients was 3.1±1.9 (0-6) in group 1 and 6.4±3.3 (3-10) in group 2 (p<0.05). There was a postoperative analgesic requirement in 20 patients (16%) of Group 1 and 75 patients (65%) of Group 2. Early complications were not observed in any patients.

Conclusion: We detected a significantly lower postoperative analgesic requirement and a mean FLACC score in patients with the application of a penile block before circumcision.