Comparison of Penile Block and Caudal Block Applications in Patients Undergoing Circumcision Surgery

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of caudal block and penile block methods, in patients who underwent circumcision surgery in preventing postoperative pain. Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent elective circumcision surgery between January 2019 and May 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. After the exclusion criteria, 56 patients were included in the study. They were divided into two groups as penile block (group P, n=31) and caudal block (group C, n=25). Anesthesia technique applied, anesthesia duration, postoperative first micturition time, postoperative complications, time of first analgesia, analgesia need in the first six hours, observer pain score and Modified Pediatric Objective Pain Scale scores (MPOPS) were scanned. Results: When the first micturition time in the postoperative period was compared, it was found that group P took a significantly shorter time than group C (p=0.001). It was determined that group C needed analgesia in a shorter time than group P (p=0.028). When the MPOPS at 30th min (p=0.031), 90th min (p=0.043) and 6th hour (p=0.016) were compared, group C higher scores than group P. Conclusion: As a result, both methods can be used effectively and safely for appropriate pain control in patients who will undergo circumcision surgery. Both methods have advantages and disadvantages over each other. The choice of methods may vary with the experience of the surgeon and anesthetist.