Materials and methods
infiltrating anorectal cancers, pain, pruritus, ill, painful anal
ANAL FISSURES, STRICTURES, THROMBOSED HEMORRHOIDS
This was a single-blind, randomized non-inferiority trial that compared 2% lidocaine gel to a shea lubricant, eliciting patients’ response to anal pain, discomfort, peri-anal pruritus, bowel and urinary urgency and ease of use of the lubricants by clinicians upon performing a digital rectal examination. All patients between 18 and 80 years for whom a digital rectal examination was indicated, could understand the survey process and consented to participate were included in the study. Those who were too ill to communicate and/or consent, and those with painful anal conditions such as thrombosed hemorrhoids, anal fissures, infiltrating anorectal cancers and anal strictures were excluded. Patients were recruited from 15th June to 19th August 2021.