Abstract

We present two cases in which two boys of four weeks and four and a half months, respectively, experienced seizures and respiratory insufficiency as complications to the local anaesthesia administered for ritual circumcision. They both needed intubation and anticonvulsive therapy and acquired an aspiration pneumonia, which was treated with antibiotics. Both recovered without sequelae. Surgeons should be careful with calculating the maximum safe dose of local anaesthesia for young children and should be prepared to treat complications.