The posts about penile blocks for circs got me thinking.
I have this picture in my mind of a needle moving around through a tiny penis
and it makes me sick.
A long time ago--when people didn't panic about cocaine-- one of the pedi's I
worked with used opthalmic topical cocaine for circumcisions and doing
stitches in the ER.  He'd just spray it on and everything went numb.  These
babies and kids were as happy as clams.  The older ones in ER would sit and
chat with the ped as he stitched up their various lacerations.  Unfortunately
this practice was abandoned after cocaine got a reputation as a "street drug."
The pharmacy said it was "too dangerous to keep" and a couple of parents
complained about THAT drug being used on their children.  In my opinion it was
a real loss.  Anyone who has had a local for dental work or sutures can agree
that the shot itself is the most painful part of the whole procedure.

My question is has anyone looked into topical anesthetics for circumcision
lately?  (Dr. Jack?) I recently suggested topical cocaine to a doctor friend
as an alternative to general anesthesia because her baby needed a circ at  8
months of age due to massive adhesions and it worked really well.  Obviously
we aren't going to rid the world of circs but wouldn't this be a better way?
Anybody in the mood for a grass roots campaign?
OOPS I forgot we need the research first.
Marie Davis RN, IBCLC