[Pain management after hemorrhoidectomy. Patient-controlled analgesia vs conventional pain therapy]

The aim of this randomized non-blinded study was to assess the pain management after hemorrhoidectomy using patient-controlled analgesia (PCA).

In this study following Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy 38 patients were administered either standard pain management with oral non-steroidal analgesics (control n = 18) or additional PCA with piritramid intravenously by infusion pump within the first 24 h (PCA n = 19).

The pain score within the first 24 h after surgery was significantly lower in patients with PCA compared to control patients (maximum pain within 12 h postoperatively: mean PCA 2.6 versus control 5.7). During the first 24 h postoperatively, patients with PCA were significantly more satisfied with the pain management than the control patients.

Pain after hemorrhoidectomy can be reduced within the first 24 h using PCA. Patients are significantly more satisfied with PCA than with standard medication.