Postoperative Outcome Comparison Between Pudendal Nerve Block and Caudal Block After Lateral Open Internal Sphincterotomy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the postoperative outcome between pudendal nerve block and caudal block after open lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Our prospective, randomized and double blind investigation included 123 patients, of both sexes, aged 25-56 years, classed I-II by the American society of anesthesiologists and scheduled for elective open internal lateral sphincterotomy for anal fissure at King Hussein hospital, KHMC, Amman, Jordan, during the period from Jan. 2013 to Feb. 2015. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I included 62 patients (GI, n=62) operated under pudendal nerve block with local infiltration anesthesia and group II included 61 patients (GII, n=61) operated under caudal block. Postoperative pain, surgical duration, period of hospital admission, back to regular working activity and 4 weeks evaluation were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Postoperative outcome was more enhanced in group II but not significant than in group I. Patients in G-I experienced moderate pain for a mean of 5. 3 days in comparison with 4. 3 days in G-II. P>0. 05. Three patients (4. 9%) in G-II in comparison with 5 patients (8. 1%) in G-I had more hospital stay than 24 hours. Patients in G-II went back to normal activity after a mean of 7. 5 days in comparison with 8. 0 days in G-I. CONCLUSION: Undergoing open lateral internal sphincterotomy with the aid of Pudendal nerve block is an excellent, easy and safe alternative anesthesia to caudal anesthesia.