USE OF A EUTECTIC MIXTURE OF LOCAL-ANESTHETICS IN THE RELEASE OF PREPUTIAL ADHESIONS - IS IT A WORTHWHILE ALTERNATIVE

Objective To see if a eutectic mixture of local anaesthetics (EMLA) co uld be used effectively for the release of preputial adhesions as a da y case procedure. Patients and methods A total of 36 consecutive sympt omatic children had their preputial adhesions separated under local an aesthetic with EMLA. Results The procedure was successful in 27 childr en. Of these, 16 remained symptom free at 9 to 12 months follow up alt hough ave children had slight recurrence of adhesions. The other 11 ch ildren were listed for circumcision at 2 weeks following the procedure because of marked recurrence of adhesions. Conclusion EMLA cream is a good alternative to general anaesthetics in the separation of preputi al adhesions. The technique is operator-dependant and better results w ere obtained when one person was using it regularly. Separation of adh esions is a worthwhile procedure in boys with symptomatic non-retracti le foreskins.