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

Background: Application of a topical anaesthetic agent may facilitate infiltration of local anaesthetic at haemorrhoidectomy. Methods: A randomized clinical trial of 53 consecutive patients requiring elective haemorrhoidectomy was carried out. One group underwent haemorrhoidectomy under general anaesthesia, while the second group had topical anaesthetic 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 operating time, postoperative pain, nausea or vomiting, pain-free interval after operation, analgesic requirements or patients' satisfaction with the method of anaesthesia. Postoperative oxygen saturation and pulse rate were similar in the two groups. Conclusion: Topical anaesthetic and local anaesthesia can be used effectively for haemorrhoidectomy and provide an alternative to general anaesthesia.