Bupivacaine infiltration after haemorrhoidectomy

The effect of a locally infiltrated solution of bupivacaine was studied in 30 patients undergoing haemorrhoidectomy. A standard Milligan-Morgan haemorrhoidectomy, with preoperative infiltration of adrenaline solution (1:200,000), was performed. The patients were randomized to receive local four quadrant perianal infiltration of 20 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine or normal saline. Analgesia was available on demand postoperatively. There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to visual analogue pain scores, analgesic requirement, time to first bowel action or duration of hospital stay. Bupivacaine as a local infiltration in this situation does not confer analgesic effect into the postoperative period.