Eutectic mixture of local anesthetics in adult urology patients: an observational trial.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVES

The effectiveness of EMLA eutectic mixture of local anesthetics, (ASTRA Co, France) cream in minor surgery on the penis and its acceptability in unpremedicated outpatients were assessed.

METHODS

EMLA cream was applied 1 hour before surgery (fremulum plasty, circumcision or dorsal section for phimosis, and condyloma accuminatum) in addition to a subcutaneous infiltration of lidocaine 1%, just before incision in cases of circumcision. Verbal Rating Scale (VSR) was assessed during the surgery and the acceptance 15 days later by a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients included. In all of the cases, the application of EMLA cream was sufficient, with the exception of one (fremulum plasty). General anesthesia was used for this patient unable to tolerate the proprioceptive sensations (VRS = 0). In cases of circumcision, the subcutaneous infiltration was not experienced as painful. Eighty-eight percent of patients who answered the questionnaire confirmed that if they had to be reoperated on, they would opt for this technique of anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

EMLA cream is effective in minor penile surgery in adult patients, and it is associated with subcutaneous infiltration of local anesthetic in the case of circumcision.