Local infiltration with ropivacaine improves immediate postoperative pain control after hemorrhoidal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of infiltration with a new local anesthetic (ropivacaine) to control pain after hemorrhoidal surgery.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
Local infiltration with ropivacaine improves pain control and patient comfort in the immediate postoperative course of hemorrhoidal surgery.
Vinson-Bonnet
Béatrice
B
Department of Surgery, Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Léon Toubladjian, Poissy, France.
Coltat
Jean Claude
JC
Fingerhut
Abe
A
Bonnet
Francis
F
D000328:Adult; D000577:Amides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016058:Analgesia, Patient-Controlled; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000077212:Ropivacaine; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013997:Time Factors
D000577:Amides; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009020:Morphine; D000077212:Ropivacaine