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Ice Packing Versus Warm Sitz Baths After Hemorrhoidectomy
Sponsor: Memorial Atasehir Hospital
Summary
Warm sitz baths are commonly recommended after hemorrhoidectomy, although their benefit for early postoperative recovery remains uncertain. Local cold application may reduce postoperative pain and perianal swelling. This prospective, two-center, randomized controlled trial compared ice packing with warm sitz baths in patients undergoing Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy. Participants were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either postoperative ice packing or warm sitz baths for 7 days. Both groups received the same surgical technique, analgesic regimen, bowel management, and wound care protocol. The primary outcome was the mean postoperative pain score during postoperative days 1 through 7. Secondary outcomes included perianal swelling, early wound status assessed using the REEDA scale, rescue analgesic use, and adverse events. The study aimed to determine whether ice packing provides better early postoperative recovery than warm sitz baths without increasing adverse events.
Official title: Ice Packing Versus Warm Sitz Baths After Ferguson Hemorrhoidectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
89
Start Date
2024-09-01
Completion Date
2026-06-01
Last Updated
2026-09-28
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Cryotherapy (Ice Packing)
Two 13 × 13 cm cold gel packs covered with disposable protective sleeves were folded into a U-shape and applied to the perianal region. During hospitalization, the packs were applied for 15 minutes every hour while the participant was awake. After discharge, participants continued the application for 10 minutes every hour while awake for 7 days.
Warm Sitz Bath
Participants used a standard plastic sitz bath filled with fresh warm water at approximately their usual showering temperature. Each application lasted 5 minutes and was performed four times daily for 7 days.
Locations (1)
Memorial Atasehir Hospital
Istanbul, Kadıköy, Turkey (Türkiye)