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Effects of Warm Water Sitz Bath on Symptoms in Post-anal Sphincterotomy in Chronic Anal Fissure—A Randomized and Controlled Study

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Abstract

Background

Sitz bath is frequently recommended by physicians for a variety of anal disorders including anal fissure. The aim of the present study was to determine whether sitz bath does have any therapeutic properties improving upon a patient’s postoperative symptoms after a closed lateral sphincterotomy.

Materials and Methods

Forty-six patients were randomly assigned to receive analgesics and fiber supplement alone (control patients) or a twice-daily sitz bath along with identical fiber and analgesics (sitz bath group). A 24-h pain score—post-defecation anal burning and symptom improvement—was evaluated on a visual analog scale (VAS).

Results

The groups were equally matched for age, gender distribution, and duration of disease. No significant difference in mean pain score between groups (p = 0.284) was noticed after one week. However, the patients from the control group experienced significant anal burning compared with patients from sitz bath group (p < 0.0001). The improvement score was higher in the sitz bath group when compared with the control group; however, it did not reached a statistically significant level.

Conclusions

Patients after sphincterotomy for anal fissure receiving sitz bath experienced similar levels of pain when compared with those not receiving sitz bath. However, they reported a significant relief in anal burning and a marginally better satisfaction score and no reported adverse side effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gupta Nursing Home, Laxminagar, Nagpur, 440022, India

    Pravin J. Gupta

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  1. Pravin J. Gupta
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Correspondence to Pravin J. Gupta.

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Gupta, P.J. Effects of Warm Water Sitz Bath on Symptoms in Post-anal Sphincterotomy in Chronic Anal Fissure—A Randomized and Controlled Study. World J Surg 31, 1480–1484 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-007-9096-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-007-9096-1

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