A One Year Randomised Control Trial Comparing Surface Local Anaesthesia Vs Subarachnoid Block in Anorectal Surgeries with Respect to Post Operative Pain at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and Aims : Ambulatory anorectal surgeries are gaining popularity in recent times, as they are being performed under local anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare surface local anaesthesia versus subarachnoid block for postoperative pain relief at 1, 3, and 5 hours in anorectal surgeries Materials and Methods : This study was conducted on 60 patients undergoing elective anorectal surgeries from December 2007 to December 2008 at KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. Patients were randomly allotted to either surface local anaesthesia or subarachnoid block. 30 patients formed in each group. Postoperatively clinical data and outcomes following each procedure were analyzed. Results : There were significant statistical differences in the postoperative pain relief at 1, 3 hours in surface local anaesthesia. Significant statistical differences were also observed in decreased hospital stay in surface local anaesthesia. There were more instances of postoperative urinary retention in subarachnoid group, which was statistically significant. Conclusion : Patients who underwent surface local anaesthesia for anorectal surgeries have less postoperative pain at 1, 3 hours as compared to the subarachnoid block group. The duration of hospital stay in surface local anaesthesia group was definitely less than the subarachnoid block group decreasing hospital costs and giving more affordability to the patients. Moreover there were more instances of postoperative urinary retention in subarachnoid group, which was statistically significant.