Operation

Tattooing is performed in day hospital.   

A short general anesthesia of 10 to 15 minutes is needed to perform the injections around the anal margin.

A mixture of methylene blue and lidocaine is injected into the dermis of the anal margin. The injection of methylene blue will destroy the nerve endings in the skin responsable for the itching.
The skin around the anus will temporarily color blue for 2 to 4 weeks.

Complications are extremely rare after anal tattooing.

• Subcutaneous hematoma.
• Skin infection, abscess.
• 4% of patients may experience temporary a little anal fluid seepage during the first 48 hours.

There is no risk of incontinence.

Eusebio EB et al (1990) Treatment of intractable  pruritus ani. Dis Colon Rectum33:770-772

Farouk R et al (1997)  Intradermal methylene bleu injection  for the treatment of intractable idiopathic pruritus ani Br J Surg 84:670

Mentes BB et al (2004) Intradermal methylene blue injection for the treatment of intractable idiopathic pruritus ani: results of 30 cases. Tech Coloproctol !:11 -14