Circumcision supplemented by dorsal penile nerve block with 0.75% ropivacaine: A complication

Background and Objectives: Dorsal penile nerve block is a common procedure and can provide effective analgesia after penile surgery. Ischemic complica tions are rare and generally result from trauma or inadvertent administrati on of vasoconstrictive solutions. Case Report: We describe a period of temporary ischemia of the glans penis occurring 40 minutes after dorsal penile nerve block with 0.75% ropivacaine . This was successfully treated with an intravenous infusion of iloprost (a PGI(2) analogue), and at 43 hours appearances were normal. Conclusion: Theoretical concerns over the vasoconstrictive properties of ro pivacaine may be sufficient to avoid its use where the potential for ischem ia to end organs is present.