Pain control in neonatal male circumcision: A best evidence review

Oral Sucrose in Infants Undergoing Flexible Nasolaryngoscopy: A Blinded Randomized Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

Flexible nasolaryngoscopy (FNL) is a common, uncomfortable procedure performed to assess the upper airway in infants. Oral sucrose is used during various painful procedures in infants but has not been used during FNL. Our objective was to understand the impact of oral sucrose on discomfort in infants undergoing FNL.

METHODS

Infants (<12-months-old) undergoing FNL in the otolaryngology clinic were randomized to treatment (0.5 mL 24% oral sucrose) or standard management (no sucrose). Sucrose was administered <2 min prior to FNL performed by a single endoscopist. Outcome measures included: EVENDOL pain scale and cry duration and visit duration. Infant discomfort was measured by a second observer who was blinded to treatment group.

RESULTS

Forty-seven infants were included, 23 were treated with sucrose and 24 with standard management. The median (IQR) age was 3.0 (2-5.7) months. There were no significant differences in age, weight, or sex across groups. The median (IQR) duration of FNL was 35.2 (26.5-58.4) and 36.4 (28.9-51.8) seconds for treatment and standard management groups, respectively. Mean (SD) EVENDOL scores were significantly lower in the sucrose group [4.9 (2.0)] than standard group (6.7 [2.1]) (p = 0.003). Mean cry duration after FNL was significantly shorter in the sucrose group (29.9 [20.4] seconds) than the standard group (52.7.0 [40.6] seconds) (p = 0.02). Median (IQR) visit duration did not differ across groups (1.1 [0.9-1.3] vs. 1.1 [0.7-1.4] h [p = 0.15]).

CONCLUSION

Oral sucrose given before FNL reduced EVENDOL scores and cry duration after FNL and did not prolong clinic visits in this randomized pilot study.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Laryngoscope, 134:3826-3831, 2024.

Pain in Neonates: Perceptions and Current Practices

All newborns experience pain during routine care, which can have long-lasting negative effects. Despite the availability of effective methods to prevent and reduce pain, most infants will receive ineffective or no treatment. Optimal pain management includes the reduction of the number of procedures performed, routine pain assessment and the use of effective pain-reducing interventions, most notably breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact and sweet-tasting solutions. Parents are an essential component of the comprehensive assessment and management of infant pain; however, a gap exists regarding the uptake of parent-led interventions and the engagement of families. Practice recommendations for infant pain care are discussed.

Timing for maximum anaesthetic effect of topical cream during early infant circumcision (EIC) in Rakai, Uganda

Objectives

The objective of this study is to determine the optimal timing for device-based infant circumcision under topical anaesthesia.

Subjects/patients

We include infants aged 1-60 days who were enrolled in a field study of the no-flip ShangRing device at four hospitals in the Rakai region of south-central Uganda, between 5 February 2020 and 27 October 2020.

Methods

Two hundred infants, aged 0-60 days, were enrolled, and EMLA cream was applied on the foreskin and entire penile shaft. The anaesthetic effect was assessed every 5 min by gentle application of artery forceps at the tip of the foreskin, starting at 10 min post-application until 60 min, the recommended time to start circumcision. The response was measured using the Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS). We determined the onset and duration of anaesthesia (defined as <20% of infants with NIPS score >4) and maximum anaesthesia (defined as <20% of infants with NIPS score >2).

Results

Overall, NIPS scores decreased to a minimum and reversed before the recommended 60 min. Baseline response varied with age, with minimal response among infants aged 40 days. Overall, anaesthesia was achieved after at least 25 min and lasted 20-30 min. Maximum anaesthesia was achieved after at least 30 min (except among those aged >45 days where it was not achieved) and lasted up to 10 min.

Conclusion

The optimal timing for maximum topical anaesthesia occurred before the recommended 60 min of waiting time. A shorter waiting time and speed may be efficient for mass device-based circumcision.

Effects of Comfort-Oriented Nursing Care Based on the Comfort Theory on Perioperative Anxiety and Fear in Children Undergoing Surgical Circumcision: RCT

PURPOSE

This study explored the effect of comfort-oriented nursing care based on comfort theory on reducing perioperative anxiety and fear in children undergoing surgical circumcision.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled trial.

METHOD

The study was completed with the participation of children circumcised in a hospital in Turkey using the same surgeon, anesthesia, and surgical technique. A total of 120 children meeting the inclusion criteria and providing consent to participate in the study were randomly divided into two equal groups. The study was conducted between June and September 2019. The intervention group received comfort-oriented nursing care based on the comfort theory. The control group received routine nursing care. Data were collected using the Children's Anxiety Meter-State and Children's Fear Scale. Outcome variables were determined at seven measurement points, including baseline, five intermediate points, and at the follow-up visit on the 10th postoperative day.

RESULTS

A statistically significant difference in the fear of the group receiving comfort-oriented nursing care based on comfort theory was noted compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Comfort-oriented nursing care based on the comfort theory was effective in reducing perioperative anxiety and fear among children undergoing surgical circumcision. This study is important given that comfort-oriented nursing care based on the comfort theory may be applied to those receiving care in pediatric surgery.

Dexmedetomidine: An Alternative to Pain Treatment in Neonatology

Infants might be exposed to pain during their admissions in the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU], both from their underlying conditions and several invasive procedures required during their stay. Considering the particularities of this population, recognition and adequate management of pain continues to be a challenge for neonatologists and investigators. Diverse therapies are available for treatment, including non-pharmacological pain management measures and pharmacological agents (sucrose, opioids, midazolam, acetaminophen, topical agents…) and research continues. In recent years one of the most promising drugs for analgesia has been dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. It has shown a promising efficacy and safety profile as it produces anxiolysis, sedation and analgesia without respiratory depression. Moreover, studies have shown a neuroprotective role in animal models which could be beneficial to neonatal population, especially in preterm newborns. Side effects of this therapy are mainly cardiovascular, but in most studies published, those were not severe and did not require specific therapeutic measures for their resolution. The main objective of this article is to summarize the existing literature on neonatal pain management strategies available and review the efficacy of dexmedetomidine as a new therapy with increasing use in the NICU.

Procedural Pain Management During Tenotomy for Congenital Talipes Equinovarus

The majority of infants with congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV) require tenotomy of the tendoachilles. The pain response of this procedure in the awake infant has not been previously reported. In this observational study, multimodal pain management strategies, including oral sucrose, oral paracetamol, topical anesthetic, local anesthetic, a pacifier (dummy), and swaddling, were used. Physiological responses and pain were recorded. Pain was rated out of 10 at regular intervals, using the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Ninety-one infants (65 men, mean age = 53 days, range = 19-217 days) were observed. At baseline, median FLACC, heart rate (HR), and oxygen saturation (Spo₂) were 1, 159, and 97% respectively. Peak median FLACC and HR were 9 and 200, respectively, and lowest median Spo₂ was 92%. The median (interquartile range) time for FLACC to return to 3 or less was 2 (2-5) minutes. Achilles tenotomy for CTEV in the awake infant is associated with high pain levels despite provision of multimodal pain relief measures.

A comparison of anesthetic efficacy between dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) with lidocaine and eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream during neonatal circumcision

Objective

Circumcision is often performed in neonates and is associated with significant pain. This study was conducted to compare the anesthetic efficacy of two methods of local anaesthesia for neonatal circumcision: topical eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA) cream and dorsal penile nerve block (DPNB) with lidocaine.

Methods

Male neonates who presented for circumcision and met the eligibility criteria were recruited for the study and were randomly assigned to one of the two methods of anesthesia before the procedure. Anesthetic efficacy was compared by pain assessment during four standardized steps of the procedure (clamping, crushing, tying, and cutting of the foreskin, respectively) using the modified Neonatal Infant Pain Scale (NIPS), changes in transcutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR), and preoperative and postoperative salivary cortisol levels. Patients also were evaluated after 24 hours to assess for complications.

Results

Totally, 138 babies were recruited. Significantly higher NIPS scores were observed among babies who had EMLA cream during tying (p=0.019) and cutting (p=0.043). The rise in mean HR from baseline was statistically significant throughout the procedure in the EMLA group. In the DPNB group, there was no significant rise in mean HR during crushing (p=0.919) and cutting (p=0.197). There was a significant decrease in mean SpO2 from baseline in both groups. Salivary cortisol showed significant increase in mean levels in both groups. No significant untoward effects were observed.

Conclusion

DPNB with lidocaine has a better pain control compared with EMLA cream during neonatal circumcision. Both methods are safe in neonates.

Assessment and Management of Pain in Preterm Infants: A Practice Update

Infants born preterm are at a high risk for repeated pain exposure in early life. Despite valid tools to assess pain in non-verbal infants and effective interventions to reduce pain associated with medical procedures required as part of their care, many infants receive little to no pain-relieving interventions. Moreover, parents remain significantly underutilized in provision of pain-relieving interventions, despite the known benefit of their involvement. This narrative review provides an overview of the consequences of early exposure to untreated pain in preterm infants, recommendations for a standardized approach to pain assessment in preterm infants, effectiveness of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic pain-relieving interventions, and suggestions for greater active engagement of parents in the pain care for their preterm infant.

Regional anesthesia for ambulatory pediatric penoscrotal procedures

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Pediatric urology procedures are amongst the most commonly performed in children. The need for proactive treatment of pain is essential for optimal patient care. Current guidelines recommend the routine use of regional anesthesia in children as appropriate unless contraindicated. Given the commonality of urologic procedures in children, it is essential to understand the indications for and the utility of regional anesthesia.

METHODS

The current literature was searched using PubMed as the primary platform. Search words included 'dorsal penile nerve block,' 'pudendal nerve block,' 'ring block,' 'spinal anesthesia,' and 'caudal,' along with 'pediatric', 'circumcision,' 'hypospadias,' 'urology', and 'urological surgery' as part of the keywords of the search.

RESULTS

The articles resulting from the literature search were reviewed for content, clarity and study design by two co-authors, and agreement determined the incorporation into the review. Additionally, a detailed description of study design, regional anesthetic technique, local anesthetic(s) used, and outcomes of each study referenced was incorporated into the supplemental table.

CONCLUSION

Given the variance in block technique and local anesthetic choice amongst the current reported studies in the literature, it is difficult to truly compare and infer superiority of the regional anesthetic choices for ambulatory penoscrotal procedures. When choosing a regional anesthetic technique, careful consideration must be placed on block coverage, severity of expected pain and surgical duration of the procedure, type and dose of local anesthetic, as well as the patient's past medical history and anatomy. Moreover, the regional block chosen should result from a thorough preoperative discussion between the surgeon and the anesthesiologist.

[175 years of anesthesia and narcosis-Towards a "human right to unconsciousness"]

The Ether Day, a key moment in the history of mankind, commemorates its 175th anniversary on 16 October 2021. On that day the dentist William T. G. Morton successfully gave the first public ether anesthesia in Boston. From then on it was possible to save people from pain with justifiable risk and at the same time to protect them from psychological damage by inducing unconsciousness. The German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk, one of the most renowned and effective philosophers of our times, deduced that from then on humans, to some extent, had a right to unconsciousness when in psychophysical distress. This postulate unfolded from his concept of "anthropotechnics" developed around 1997, meaning the idea of treating human nature as an object of possible improvements. According to Sloterdijk, in favorable cases a synthesis of man and technology can result in a significant improvement of human capabilities in the sense of "enhancement", i.e. an increase, an improvement or even an expansion of intellectual, physical or psychological possibilities, as it were in a transgression of the human (so-called transhumanism). Man should go into vertical tension, i.e. strive for higher aims and exploit his inherent potential, he should not dwell in the horizontal. This is not meant as an appeal but as an imperative: "You must change your life!". In this context modern anesthesia may prove helpful: be operated on by others in order to undergo an enhancement. Or, in its most extreme form, the operation in the "auto-operational curved space", a person can even operate on himself as has been dramatically demonstrated by Rogozov, a young Russian physician and trainee surgeon who successfully performed a self-appendectomy under local anesthesia at the Novolazarevskaya Antarctic Station in 1961; however, the implementation of this idea is a long way off. On the one hand, many countries lack qualified personnel in sufficiently large numbers to perform even vital operations with patients under anesthesia. On the other hand, over the decades it has become clear that anesthesia is obviously beneficial for mankind in that it offers relief from pain and psychological stress but that it can also often show its dark side: substance abuse, use of anesthetics in torture and in executions. In addition, the role of anesthetics in resuscitation, palliative care, and allaying executions is unclear or controversial. Finally, the necessary formal legal steps to acknowledge a "human right to unconsciousness" have not yet been implemented.