Ice as an Adjunct for Local Anesthesia During Anorectal Surgeries

The purpose of this study is to determine, among patients receiving elective anorectal surgery, does application of ice to the perianal area prior to the procedure, lead to use of decreased amounts of intravenous (IV) anesthesia? Anorectal surgeries for hemorrhoids, fistulas and fissures are done on an outpatient basis under monitored anesthesia care. This means patients get sedating medications through an IV but often do not require intubation. The difficulty with monitored anesthesia is balancing patient comfort against the risk of apnea (not breathing due to over sedation). Application of ice to the perianal area may help increase patient comfort, decrease the amounts of medications given for sedation and therefore decrease risk and increase recovery from the anesthesia.