Use of pudendal nerve blocks in rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids: an Australia-wide cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons vary in their approach to preventing pain post rubber band ligation (RBL) of haemorrhoids, with pudendal nerve blocks (PNB) being one analgesic strategy. No data exists on how commonly PNBs are used in RBL in Australia, and whether use varies by year and patient and hospital characteristics.

METHODS: Aggregate data from the National Hospital Morbidity Database was obtained for all admissions for RBL in Australia from 2012 to 2021, with and without a PNB, overall and in relation to sex, age group, hospital remoteness, hospital sector, and year of procedure. Adjusted relative risks (adj. RR) of PNB were estimated using Poisson regression, mutually adjusting for all variables.

RESULTS: Of the 346 542 admissions for RBL, 14013 (4.04%) involved a PNB. The proportion of patients receiving a PNB increased between 2012-2013 and 2020-2021, from 1.62% to 6.63% (adj. RR 3.99, CI 3.64-4.36). Patients most likely to receive a PNB were female (adj. RR 1.10; CI 1.07-1.14) aged 25-34 years (adj. RR 1.13; CI 1.01-1.26); in major-city (adj. RR 1.25 CI 1.20-1.30) and private hospitals (adj. RR 3.28 CI 3.13-3.45).

CONCLUSION: This is the first published analysis of the use of PNB in RBL. Pudendal nerve block use has increased over time, with substantial variation in practice. Blocks were more than three times as likely to be used in private compared to public hospitals. If evidence supporting PNB use is established, equitable access to the procedure should be pursued.