Clinical trials

Hemorrhoidectomy is frequently associated with severe postoperative pain despite multimodal analgesia. Ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block has become an effective regional analgesic technique, but it remains unknown whether blockade performed proximally at the ischial spine provides superior analgesia compared with the more distal transperineal approach. The PINPOINT Trial is a prospective randomized assessor-blinded superiority trial comparing ultrasound-guided transgluteal (proximal) and transperineal (distal) pudendal nerve block in adults undergoing elective hemorrhoidectomy. The primary objective is to determine whether the proximal approach reduces cumulative opioid consumption during the first 48 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity, opioid-related outcomes, recovery, complications, and patient-reported outcomes.

This prospective, single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial will evaluate whether repeated ultrasound-guided pudendal nerve block combined with standardized physiotherapy and standard postpartum analgesic management reduces persistent post-episiotomy pain and postpartum dyspareunia compared with standard management alone. Women aged 18-40 years who have undergone vaginal delivery with episiotomy or a first-time perineal tear and who report postpartum pain greater than 3/10 within 24 hours after delivery will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group will receive standard management plus a repeated pudendal nerve block before hospital discharge and a second block on postpartum Day 10 if pain remains greater than 3/10. Pain and sexual function will be assessed through 3 months postpartum.