Randomized clinical trial of haemorrhoidectomy under a mixture of local anaesthesia versus general anaesthesia

Background: Application of a topical anaesthetic agent may facilitate infil tration of local anaesthetic at haemorrhoidectomy. Methods: A randomized clinical trial of 53 consecutive patients requiring e lective haemorrhoidectomy was carried out. One group underwent haemorrhoide ctomy under general anaesthesia, while the second group had topical anaesth etic cream (containing lignocaine and prilocaine) applied followed by local anaesthetic infiltration for surgical anaesthesia. Results: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of opera ting time, postoperative pain, nausea or vomiting, pain-free interval after operation, analgesic requirements or patients' satisfaction with the metho d of anaesthesia. Postoperative oxygen saturation and pulse rate were simil ar in the two groups. Conclusion: Topical anaesthetic and local anaesthesia can be used effective ly for haemorrhoidectomy and provide an alternative to general anaesthesia.