LOCAL-ANESTHESIA FOR ARTHROSCOPIC SURGERY OF THE ANKLE USING PETHIDINE OR PRILOCAINE

Investigation of the intraoperative and postoperative pain-reducing ef fect of pethidine (meperidine) as compared with local anesthetics give n into the ankle joint was performed, in a comparative and double-blin d fashion, in 20 patients subjected to arthroscopy of the ankle, diagn ostic and surgical procedures. These patients were randomly assigned t o one of two groups. Group A consisted of 10 patients receiving priloc aine 5% with adrenaline and the patients of group B received pethidine 5% with adrenaline intraarticularly. During arthroscopy, the patients reported on pain and discomfort using visual analog scales. Ratings d id not differ between the two groups, but six patients would not have chosen the local anesthetic technique again. Postoperatively, all pati ents rated their pain and discomfort at rest and at movement (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 24 hours and at three times during 2 following days). No differences were found between the two groups, except for pain at rest through the whole observation period with significant lower value s for pethidine. There were no differences in use of analgesics betwee n the two groups. The current study indicates that pethidine is a pote ntial alternative to prilocaine in arthroscopy of the ankle.