Hot sitz bath or slow cold jet? A comparative prospective study of post operative anorectal surgical cases

Dr. G S Randhawa; Dr. PJS Aneja; Dr. Ramandeep walia

Volume : VIII, Issue : IV, April - 2018

Hot sitz bath or slow cold jet? A comparative prospective study of post operative anorectal surgical cases

Dr. G S Randhawa, Dr. Pjs Aneja, Dr. Ramandeep Walia

Abstract :

INTRODUCTION–Application of heat in the form of hot water or steam or hot icks wrapped in a wet towel is an age old practice since time immemorial.Application of cold water or ice is another alternative in tropical climates.Modern methods are warm water or ice cold tub bath of perineal area underwent operation.A comparative prospective analysis of perineal surgery cases done on 60 patients 30 in each group.MATERIAL AND METHODS– total number of 60 cases ,30 in each group were selected matching procedure to procedure. Group A comprised of 30 cases who were asked to wash perineal wound with slow cold jet water, and group B were asked to wash the surgical wound while sitting in a warm water tub. Cases of fistulectomy, fissurectomy and haemorrhoidectomy were selected in equal number in each group and case to case comparison was done on parameters like– pain, bowel movements and time period taken for recovery.No change in the rest of standard protocol like –antibiotics, dressings etc, were done.RESULTS–apart from a substantial number of patients(n–15) complained about the warm water tub procedure as cumbersome, no significant difference observed with other parameters like –pain, wound healing, bowel movement and duration of treatment found.CONCLUSION– a slow jet cleansing of post–operative perineal surgery wound is equally effective in assisting wound healing, bowel movement and relief of pain. Hot water tub which is routine till today ; found cumbersome by many patients. Moreover , patient feels a each of his privacy as he always needs the help of an assistant for it.