Outpatient hemorrhoidectomy under perianal anesthetics infiltration.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective long-term treatment for hemorrhoids, mostly done in an inpatient setting requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and early post-operative results of outpatient closed hemorrhoidectomy under perianal anesthetics infiltration.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective study of outpatient closed hemorrhoidectomy under perianal block during March 2002 and May 2003 in an ambulatory facility of the Department of Surgery, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok.

RESULTS: Fifty-five patients with third-degree or fourth-degree internal hemorrhoids underwent outpatient closed hemorrhoidectomy under perianal block, including 40 males and 15 females. The mean age was 44.4 +/- 12.2 years (21-72 years). Sites of hemorrhoidectomy at each operation were single 53%, double 42% and triple 5%. Mean operative time was 20.7 +/- 9.9 minutes (5-60 minutes). Additional anal procedures were performed in 6 cases. Severity of early postoperative pain were mild in 35% of the patients, moderate in 40% of the patients and severe in 25% of the patients which could be relieved by oral analgesic drug, mostly lasting less than three days. No postoperative urinary retention occurred. The patients could pass their stool in 1.2 +/- 0.8 days postoperatively (0-4 days). No postoperative complications were found in the present study. All patients needed no hospital admission or an emergency department visit.

CONCLUSION: Outpatient hemorrhoidectomy under perianal anesthetics infiltration is effective and well tolerated. It should be an alternative approach in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease.