OBJECTIVEPostoperative pain is a common problem in male circumcision. We investigated the effect of nanometer silver dressing (Shenzhen AGT Pharm. Co. Ltd.) in relieving pain following male circumcision.

METHODSSixty patients undergoing circumcision in the outpatient department were randomized into an experimental and a control group, the incision covered with nanometer silver dressing in the former and with vaseline dressing in the latter. None of the patients received any analgesics or other pain-killing therapies after surgery. The postoperative pain intensity was accessed using the modified numeric pain intensity assessment scale at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days after the operation, and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 12.0 software.

RESULTSThe patients averaged (31.13 +/- 13.94) years in age, and had no significant differences in age and body mass index (BMI) between the two groups. At 1, 2, 3 and 5 days, postoperative pain intensity was significantly lower in the experimental than in the control group (P > 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that postoperative pain score was not correlated with patients' age, BMI and types of disease, but with the types of dressing.

CONCLUSIONNanometer silver dressing can significantly alleviate postoperative pain of circumcision, and is particularly applicable to such moist parts as the perineum, genitals, and urethra.