The WAND (TM) local anesthetic delivery system - A more pleasant experience for anal anesthesia

PURPOSE: The WAND(TM) is a computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery sy stem. Its use has been proven to be more comfortable for dental patients. T he purpose of this study is to explore its applicability to anal procedures . Our hypothesis is that the WAND(TM) will provide greater comfort during a nesthesia delivery while achieving the same anesthetic effect as traditiona l syringe technique. METHODS: Twenty patients with painless anal pathology were randomized to receive anal anesthesia using either the WAND(TM) or tra ditional syringe technique to a randomly selected half of the anoderm (righ t or left). The opposite side was then anesthetized by the alternate method , allowing patients to act as their own control. Objective and subjective p ain scores were obtained from the patient after each mode of delivery. An i ndependent observer interpreted the patient's tolerance by giving a subject ive pain score. The volume of anesthetic used was recorded. Adequacy of ane sthesia was tested by a pinch test. RESULTS: Sixteen (80 percent) of the 20 patients preferred the use of the WAND(TM). Objective and subjective pain scores per the patients and subjective pain scores per the observer were si gnificantly lower for the WAND(TM) than for traditional syringe technique ( P < 0.05). The mean volume of local anesthetic used with the WAND(TM) was 1 .7 ml compared with 3.2 ml for traditional syringe technique (P < 0.005). A nesthesia achieved with the WAND(TM) was as good as that achieved with trad itional syringe technique when the pinch test was used. CONCLUSION: The WAN D(TM) is as effective as the traditional syringe technique in the delivery of anal anesthesia while providing a more comfortable experience for the pa tient.