The infant still feels pain when DPNB is used. Lander et al reported that ring block is more effective than either EMLA or DPNB for control of circumcision pain. The shot itself can be very painful and the injection of local anesthesia into the penis can cause permanent vascular and nerve damage. EMLA is a topical anesthetic cream. Many parents are told it eliminates the pain of circumcision.
Studies show it's only slightly effective.
In August 1994 a Canadian hospital issued a strong warning against the use of Prilocaine and EMLA cream upon newborns . Additionally, a recent survey by Garry and published in OBG Management found that only 14 percent of US obstetricians who perform circumcision use any form of anesthesia for the surgery. A similar study by Stang et al. It has also been argued that injecting anesthesia can be as painful as the circumcision itself. Lander's study was terminated after several infants circumcised without anesthesia experienced apparent life threatening breathing difficulties, including choking and apnea.