Local infiltration with ropivacaine improves immediate postoperative pain control after hemorrhoidal surgery.

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of infiltration with a new local anesthetic (ropivacaine) to control pain after hemorrhoidal surgery. Thirty-four patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy were included in a double-blind, randomized study to assess the analgesic effect of a perianal infiltration with 40 ml of 0.75 percent ropivacaine compared with isotonic saline infiltration. Postoperatively, pain was assessed on a visual analog scale, and intravenous morphine consumption was measured with patient-controlled administration. In the ropivacaine group, patients had lower visual analog scale scores at 1, 3, and 6 hours after infiltration and required fewer cumulative doses of morphine (patient-controlled administration) at 3, 6, and 12 hours. Side effects were comparable in the two groups. Local infiltration with ropivacaine improves pain control and patient comfort in the immediate postoperative course of hemorrhoidal surgery.