A prospective, randomised, double-blind study was designed to determine whether topical application of 2% lignocaine is effective in decreasing analgesic drug requirements during and after circumcision surgery. General anaesthesia with halothane and nitrous oxide 60-70% in oxygen was administered via a facemask and a Bain system. Administration of halothane was stopped after removal of the foreskin; lignocaine (2%) or placebo was applied topically as drops to the surface of the penis to two groups of patients. Halothane was restarted if the anaesthesia was ineffective. The intra-operative consumption of halothane was significantly less (p less than 0.05) in the treated group as compared with the placebo group (0 and 17, SEM 3, % x minute). The treated group required significantly less (p less than 0.002) pethidine after operation (5 and 10 patients), and the pain-free period was significantly longer (p less than 0.01) (41, SEM 6 and 6, SEM 2 minutes) as compared with the placebo group.