Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to determine the efficacy of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream for decreasing pain during local anaesthetic infiltration for out-patient haemorrhoidectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of eutectic lidocaine/prilocaine (EMLA) cream for decreasing pain during local anaesthetic infiltration for outpatient haemorrhoidectomy.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients were randomly assigned either to receive EMLA or placebo. The creams were applied 45 minutes prior to injection of a lidocaine/bupivacaine mixture using a diamond-shaped perianal block. All participants were blinded to the specific medication received. They were asked to rate pain and levels of acceptability using a pre-validated pain scale and questionnaire.


RESULTS
There were 49 patients in each group. The baseline characteristics between the two groups were similar. Forty patients (82%) in the EMLA group and 42 patients (86%) in the placebo group reported only mild pain during injection and infiltration of the lidocaine/bupivacaine mixture. The mean rank pain scores were 49.11 and 48.89, respectively (p = 0.886, not significant).


CONCLUSIONS
While outpatient haemorrhoidectomy under local anaesthesia was generally well tolerated, there was no statistically significant difference between EMLA cream and placebo for decreasing pain during anaesthetic infiltration.
Roxas
M Francisco T
MF
Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Philippine General Hospital, University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, The Philippines. ramroxas_md@yahoo.com
Talip
Babie Normita F
BN
Crisostomo
Armando C
AC
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008012:Lidocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D008297:Male; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011318:Prilocaine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000077442:Lidocaine, Prilocaine Drug Combination; D011318:Prilocaine; D008012:Lidocaine