Comfort in cases of anorectal surgery

Abstract

The comfort of the patient suffering from an anorectal disease can be safeguarded through a sequence of carefully chosen measures: 1. 1. Examination should be made without causing distress. Painful lesions are localized from the anorectal line downward, and can be diagnosed by vision and gentle palpation. 2. 2. Premedication protects the patient from the pain of enemas and the fear of surgery. 3. 3. By substituting caudal, transsacral or local anesthesia for spinal anesthesia, headaches can be prevented. Oil anesthesia, chiefly zylcaine, in 7 to 10 cc. dosage under-laid beneath the cut surface produces partial prolonged anesthesia. Complete prolonged anesthesia is not desired as it may lead to transient incontinence. 4. 4. Postoperative comfort is best assured by individualized standard routine orders, signed together with the history and physical examination records. Text of routine orders is presented. Analysis of 200 anorectal surgical cases, as to complications and results, points the way to caution and improved procedure.