RESUMEN
In an attempt to evaluate the feasibility of local anesthesia [infiltration] as an alternative to general anesthesia in hemorrhoidectomy to estimate the cost-effectiveness. Two groups of patients had the same surgical procedure [hemorrhoidectomy]. One group received local [n = 36] and the second received general anesthesia [n = 20]. Both groups were subjected to the same evaluation as far as perioperative monitoring, evaluation and procedure success. Any postoperative pain was scored using a visual analog scale [VAS] in the first three postoperative days. All patients were evaluated at two weeks and two months postoperatively. The cost of the operative procedure for both groups was compared and documented. Apart from one patient from group B who developed sinus tachycardia prior to surgery and opted to have the procedure performed under local anesthesia rather than re-schedule, both groups had successful surgical procedures with no observed difference in the outcome