[Hemorrhoidectomy with ropivacaine (Naropin) local anesthesia. Preliminary experience]

The use of local anesthesia in non-septic anal surgery is now well established. Tolerance to local injection, duration of local effect and the risk of local or systemic complications still represent unsolved issues. Ropivacaine, a new local anesthetic, seems particularly indicated for this kind of surgery because of its pharmacologic properties which reduce patient's discomfort during infiltration and provide good antalgic coverage in the first hours following the operation.

The first 20 consecutive cases operated with local anesthesia by ropivacaine have been prospectively studied. All patients have been given an 11-point box VAS scale which is used for subjective evaluation of pain.

Mean pain score resulted 1.1, 1.6 and 1.4 at 1, 2 and 3 postoperative hours, respectively. Thirty percent of patients subsequently required pain medication up to the first bowel movement. No complications related to the use of ropivacaine has been observed.

This new drug can be safely used in the outpatient or Day-Surgery treatment of hemorrhoids.