Dorsal Penile Block for Post-Robotic Prostatectomy Foley Discomfort

Randomized Trial to Determine the Effect of Dorsal Penile Block on Post-Robotic Prostatectomy Foley Discomfort

The indwelling urethral foley is a major source of discomfort following radical prostatectomy. Our hypothesis is that intra-operative dorsal penile nerve block with bupivacaine may decrease immediate post-operative foley discomfort.

Patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) will be randomized in a double-blind placebo controlled manner to undergo penile ring block injection at the time of skin incision closure. A visual analog scale (VAS) based questionnaire including newly developed foley discomfort scores will be administered at various time points post-operatively.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 40 years and above,
• diagnosis of prostate cancer,
• electing to undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

Exclusion Criteria:

• allergy to bupivacaine or amide-type local anesthetics,
• chronic pain condition,
• recently or currently on narcotics,
• genital abnormalities