Description

Title: Efficacy of 2% Lidocaine Gel in Reducing Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Consumption Following Haemorrhoidectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial Objective: To assess the effect of 2% lidocaine gel on postoperative pain intensity and analgesic consumption following haemorrhoidectomy.

Study Design: This study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Patients will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either 2% lidocaine gel or a non-anaesthetic water-based lubricant gel (control) using a computer-generated randomization list. The randomization will be stratified by hemorrhoid grade (III or IV). The study medication will be prepared by the hospital pharmacy and provided in identical, pre-filled syringes to ensure blinding of participants and investigators.

Intervention: The intervention group will receive 5 mL of 2% lidocaine gel, while the control group will receive 5 mL of a non-anaesthetic water-based lubricant gel. The study medication will be applied to the perianal region three times per day for 7 days following surgery. Patients will be instructed on the proper application technique and will be provided with a diary to record the time and date of each application.

Outcome Assessment: Postoperative pain will be assessed using a 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS), with 0 representing no pain and 100 representing the worst imaginable pain. Pain scores will be recorded at 12 and 24 hours, and 2, 3, and 7 days after surgery. Patients will also record their analgesic consumption in a diary, including the type, dose, and frequency of analgesics used. Postoperative complications, such as bleeding, infection, or urinary retention, will be assessed by the treating surgeon at each follow-up visit.

Sample Size: A sample size of 222 patients (111 per group) was calculated based on a power of 80%, a significance level of 0.05, and an expected difference in mean VAS scores of 15 mm between the groups, with a standard deviation of 30 mm.