Urological Surgery

Circumcision is a common procedure which can be carried out under local anaesthetic. The block is simple to perform and surgery causes little patient distress and has few complications.Circumcision under Local Anaesthetic – June 1, 2004

TURP is a cystoscopic procedure used to alleviate the symptoms of bladder outflow obstruction, usually caused by benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). BPH affects 50% of males at 60 years and 90% of 85-year-olds and so TURP is most commonly performed on elderly patients, a population group with a high incidence of cardiac, respiratory and renal disease. The mortality rate associated with TURP is 0.2-6%, with the commonest cause of death being myocardial infarction. Safe anaesthesia depends on the detection and optimisation of co-existing diseases, and on weighing up the relative risks and benefits of regional and general anaesthesia for each patient.Anaesthesia for TURP – June 1, 2003

Caudal anaesthesia has been used for many years and is the easiest and safest approach to the epidural space. When correctly performed there is little danger of either the spinal cord or dura being damaged. It is used to provide peri- and postoperative analgesia in adults and children. It may be the sole anaesthetic for some procedures, or it may be combined with general anaesthesia.Caudal Epidural Anaesthesia – June 1, 1998

Penile block has been widely used for circumcision. Complications include inadequate block or, rarely, ischaemia. Techniques vary from injection below the symphysis pubis to ring block of the shaft.Penile Block – June 1, 1993