RANDOMIZED, CONTROLLED STUDY COMPARING SITZ-BATH AND NO-SITZ-BATH TREATMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE ANAL FISSURES

Anorectal Emergencies

Anorectal emergencies are rare presentations of common anorectal disorders, and surgeons are often called on to assist in their diagnosis and management. Although most patients presenting with anorectal emergencies can be managed nonoperatively or with a bedside procedure, surgeons must also be able to identify surgical anorectal emergencies, such as gangrenous rectal prolapse. This article provides a review of pertinent anatomy; examination techniques; and workup, diagnosis, and management of common anorectal emergencies including thrombosed hemorrhoids, incarcerated hemorrhoids, anal fissure, anorectal abscess, rectal prolapse, and pilonidal abscess and unique situations including rectal foreign body and anorectal sexually transmitted infections.

The Italian Unitary Society of Colon-proctology (SIUCP: Società Italiana Unitaria di Colonproctologia) guidelines for the management of anal fissure

INTRODUCTION

The aim of these evidence-based guidelines is to present a consensus position from members of the Italian Unitary Society of Colon-Proctology (SIUCP: Società Italiana Unitaria di Colon-Proctologia) on the diagnosis and management of anal fissure, with the purpose to guide every physician in the choice of the best treatment option, according with the available literature.

METHODS

A panel of experts was designed and charged by the Board of the SIUCP to develop key-questions on the main topics covering the management of anal fissure and to performe an accurate search on each topic in different databanks, in order to provide evidence-based answers to the questions and to summarize them in statements. All the clinical questions were discussed by the expert panel in different rounds through the Delphi approach and, for each statement, a consensus among the experts was reached. The questions were created according to the PICO criteria, and the statements developed adopting the GRADE methodology.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with acute anal fissure the medical therapy with dietary and behavioral norms is indicated. In the chronic phase of disease, the conservative treatment with topical 0.3% nifedipine plus 1.5% lidocaine or nitrates may represent the first-line therapy, eventually associated with ointments with film-forming, anti-inflammatory and healing properties such as Propionibacterium extract gel. In case of first-line treatment failure, the surgical strategy (internal sphincterotomy or fissurectomy with flap), may be guided by the clinical findings, eventually supported by endoanal ultrasound and anal manometry.

Water for wound cleansing

BACKGROUND

Although various solutions have been recommended for cleansing wounds, normal saline is favoured as it is an isotonic solution and is not thought to interfere with the normal healing process. Tap water is commonly used in community settings for cleansing wounds because it is easily accessible, efficient and cost-effective; however, there is an unresolved debate about its use.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of water for wound cleansing.

SEARCH METHODS

For this fifth update, in May 2021 we searched the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); Ovid MEDLINE; Ovid Embase and EBSCO CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries for ongoing and unpublished studies, and scanned reference lists of relevant included studies as well as reviews, meta-analyses and health technology reports to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed wound cleansing using different types of water (e.g. tap water, distilled, boiled) compared with no cleansing or with other solutions (e.g. normal saline). For this update, we excluded quasi-RCTs, thereby removing some studies which had been included in the previous version of the review.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently carried out trial selection, data extraction and GRADE assessment of the certainty of evidence.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 13 trials in this update including a total of 2504 participants ranging in age from two to 95 years. Participants in the trials experienced open fractures, surgical wounds, traumatic wounds, anal fissures and chronic wounds. The trials were conducted in six different countries with the majority conducted in India and the USA. Three trials involving 148 participants compared cleansing with tap water with no cleansing. Eight trials involving 2204 participants assessed cleansing with tap water compared with cleansing with normal saline. Two trials involving 152 participants assessed cleansing with distilled water compared with cleansing with normal saline.  One trial involving 51 participants also assessed cleansing with cooled boiled water compared with cleansing with normal saline, and cleansing with distilled water compared with cleansing with cooled boiled water. Wound infection: no trials reported on wound infection for the comparison cleansing with tap water versus no cleansing. For all wounds, eight trials found the effect of cleansing with tap water compared with normal saline is uncertain (risk ratio (RR) 0.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.19); very low-certainty evidence. Two trials comparing the use of distilled water with normal saline for cleansing open fractures found that the effect on the number of fractures that were infected is uncertain (RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.45 to 1.09); very low-certainty evidence. One trial compared the use of cooled boiled water with normal saline for cleansing open fractures and found that the effect on the number of fractures infected is uncertain (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.37 to 1.87); very low-certainty evidence. This trial also compared the use of distilled water with cooled boiled water and found that the effect on the number of fractures infected is uncertain (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.24 to 1.47); very low-certainty evidence. Wound healing: results from three trials comparing the use of tap water with no wound cleansing demonstrated there may be little or no difference in the number of wounds that did not heal between the groups (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.14); low-certainty evidence. The effect of tap water compared with normal saline is uncertain; two trials were pooled (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.30 to 1.07) but the certainty of the evidence is very low. Results from one study comparing the use of distilled water with normal saline for cleansing open fractures found that there may be little or no difference in the number of fractures that healed (RR could not be estimated, all wounds healed); the certainty of the evidence is low. Reduction in wound size: the effect of cleansing with tap water compared with normal saline on wound size reduction is uncertain (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.68); the certainty of the evidence is very low. Rate of wound healing: the effect of cleansing with tap water compared with normal saline on wound healing rate is uncertain (mean difference (MD) -3.06, 95% CI -6.70 to 0.58); the certainty of the evidence is very low.

COSTS

two trials reported cost analyses but the cost-effectiveness of tap water compared with the use of normal saline is uncertain; the certainty of the evidence is very low. Pain: results from one study comparing the use of tap water with no cleansing for acute and chronic wounds showed that there may be little or no difference in pain scores. The certainty of the evidence is low. Patient satisfaction: results from one study comparing the use of tap water with no cleansing for acute and chronic wounds showed that there may be little or no difference in patient satisfaction. The certainty of evidence is low. The effect of cleansing with tap water compared with normal saline is uncertain as the certainty of the evidence is very low.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

All the evidence identified in the review was low or very low certainty. Cleansing with tap water may make little or no difference to wound healing compared with no cleansing; there are no data relating to the impact on wound infection. The effects of cleansing with tap water, cooled boiled water or distilled water compared with cleansing with saline are uncertain, as is the effect of distilled water compared with cooled boiled water. Data for other outcomes are limited across all the comparisons considered and are either uncertain or suggest that there may be little or no difference in the outcome.

Reducing Complications After Surgery for Benign Anorectal Conditions

While generally perceived as mundane and low-risk procedures, anorectal surgeries by virtue of their anatomic real-estate-dense with nerves, blood supply, and structures critical to the quality of life-are fraught with the potential for complications. While these complications are generally not life-threatening, their impact to the quality of life can be severe. Furthermore, the sheer volume of anorectal procedures performed each year means that even low complication rates or less severe complications can have significant economic impact.

Anorectal emergencies: WSES-AAST guidelines

Anorectal emergencies comprise a wide variety of diseases that share common symptoms, i.e., anorectal pain or bleeding and might require immediate management. While most of the underlying conditions do not need inpatient management, some of them could be life-threatening and need prompt recognition and treatment. It is well known that an incorrect diagnosis is frequent for anorectal diseases and that a delayed diagnosis is related to an impaired outcome. This paper aims to improve the knowledge and the awareness on this specific topic and to provide a useful tool for every physician dealing with anorectal emergencies.The present guidelines have been developed according to the GRADE methodology. To create these guidelines, a panel of experts was designed and charged by the boards of the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) and American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) to perform a systematic review of the available literature and to provide evidence-based statements with immediate practical application. All the statements were presented and discussed during the WSES-AAST-WJES Consensus Conference on Anorectal Emergencies, and for each statement, a consensus among the WSES-AAST panel of experts was reached. We structured our work into seven main topics to cover the entire management of patients with anorectal emergencies and to provide an up-to-date, easy-to-use tool that can help physicians and surgeons during the decision-making process.

S3-Leitlinie: Analfissur

Die Analfissur ist eine der häufigsten Pathologien, welche sich dem Proktologen präsentiert. Entsprechend ist es wichtig, verlässliche Leitlinien dazu zu entwickeln. Die aktuelle Leitlinie wurde anhand eines systematischen Literaturreview von einem interdisziplinären Expertengremium diskutiert und verabschiedet.

Die akute Analfissur, soll auf Grund ihrer hohen Selbstheilungstendenz konservativ behandelt werden. Die Heilung wird am besten durch die Einnahme von Ballaststoff reicher Ernährung und einer medikamentösen Relaxation durch Kalziumkanal-Antagonisten (CCA) unterstützt. Zur Behandlung der chronischen Analfissur (CAF), soll den Patienten eine medikamentöse Behandlung zur „chemischen Sphinkterotomie“ mittels topischer CCA oder Nitraten angeboten werden. Bei Versagen dieser Therapie, kann zur Relaxation des inneren Analsphinkters Botulinumtoxin injiziert werden. Es ist belegt, dass die operativen Therapien effektiver sind. Deshalb kann eine Operation schon als primäre Therapie oder nach erfolgloser medikamentöser Therapie erfolgen. Die Fissurektomie, evtl. mit zusätzlicher Botulinumtoxin Injektion oder Lappendeckung, ist die Operation der Wahl. Obwohl die laterale Internus Sphinkterotomie die CAF effektiver heilt, bleibt diese wegen dem höheren Risiko für eine postoperative Stuhlinkontinenz eine Option für Einzelfälle.

What every PA needs to know about anorectal pain

Anorectal pain is common but often misdiagnosed, and patients may suffer in silence if they are too uncomfortable discussing the topic with their healthcare provider. This article reviews rectal anatomy and the signs and symptoms of several common anorectal conditions and how to manage them.

The Role of Botox in Colorectal Disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To overview the current medical literature on the efficacy of botulism toxin treatment (BTX-A) for lower gastrointestinal disorders (GIT).

RECENT FINDINGS

BTX-A was found to have a short-term efficacy for the treatment of dyssynergic defecation. Surgical treatment was found to be more effective than BTX-A for the healing of chronic anal fissures, and BTX-A can be considered when surgery is undesirable. Data regarding the effects of BTX-A injection for the treatment of chronic anal pain is limited. Beneficial effects were observed only in a minority of patients. BTX-A treatment was found to be effective for the treatment of obstructive symptoms after surgery for Hirsprung's disease as well as for the treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia. BTX-A treatment has a short-term efficacy and is safe. Further research is still needed in order to establish the exact place of BTX-A treatment of lower GIT disorders.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment of anal fissure

BACKGROUND

Anal fissure has a very large number of treatment options. The choice is difficult. In an effort to assist in that, choice presented here is a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published treatments for anal fissure that have been studied in randomized controlled trials.

METHODS

Randomized trials were sought in the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, EMBASE and the trials registry sites clinicaltrials.gov and who/int/ictrp/search/en. Abstracts were screened, full-text studies chosen, and finally eligible studies selected and abstracted. The review was then divided into those studies that compared two or more surgical procedures and those that had at least one arm that was non-surgical. Studies were further categorized by the specific interventions and comparisons. The outcome assessed was treatment failure. Negative effects of treatment assessed were headache and anal incontinence. Risk of bias was assessed for each study, and the strength of the evidence of each comparison was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight eligible trials were found and assessed, 31 in the surgical group and 117 in the non-surgical group. There were 14 different operations described in the surgical group and 29 different non-surgical treatments in the non-surgical group along with partial lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). There were 61 different comparisons. Of these, 47 were reported in 2 or fewer studies, usually with quite small patient samples. The largest single comparison was glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) versus control with 19 studies. GTN was more effective than control in sustained cure (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.63-0.77), but the quality of evidence was very poor because of severe heterogeneity, and risk of bias due to inadequate clinical follow-up. The only comparison to have a GRADE quality of evidence of high was a subgroup analysis of LIS versus any medical therapy (OR 0.12; CI 0.07-0.21). Most of the other studies were downgraded in GRADE due to imprecision.

CONCLUSIONS

LIS is superior to non-surgical therapies in achieving sustained cure of fissure. Calcium channel blockers were more effective than GTN and with less risk of headache, but with only a low quality of evidence. Anal incontinence, once thought to be a frequent risk with LIS, was found in various subgroups in this review to have a risk between 3.4 and 4.4%. Among the surgical studies, manual anal stretch performed worse than LIS in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open LIS and closed LIS appear to be equally efficacious, with a moderate GRADE quality of evidence. All other GRADE evaluations of procedures were low to very low due mostly to imprecision.

Comparison between a new electronic bidet and conventional sitz baths: a manometric evaluation of the anal resting pressure in normal healthy volunteers

BACKGROUND

A bidet has been proposed as a replacement for the sitz bath. Like a sitz bath, it brings water into contact with the perineum. However, the high force of water from commercially used electronic bidets may harm the anus. We developed a new electronic bidet and evaluated its effects on anal resting pressure compared with a warm sitz bath.

METHODS

Forty volunteers used the electronic bidet and sitz bath on separate days. The electronic bidet was newly designed with warm (38 °C) water and very low force (10 mN) with a fountain type of flow. Anal resting pressure at the high-pressure zone was measured before (control) and after the electronic bidet and sitz bath. Pressure changes after bidet or sitz bath were expressed as percentages compared with control. Water temperatures and rectal temperatures were also recorded.

RESULTS

The anal resting pressures before the electronic bidet and sitz bath were 90.2 ± 24.6 and 88.1 ± 16.8 mmHg, respectively. At 3 min after the electronic bidet and sitz bath, the anal resting pressures were 71.3 ± 23.4 and 69.6 ± 19.8 mmHg, respectively. The pressure changes compared with the control were 78.2 ± 12.9 and 78.1 ± 12.5%, respectively, which were not significantly different. The maximal increase and minimal decrease were not significantly different. The rectal temperature was not elevated, and the water temperature decreased significantly with the sitz bath (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our new electronic bidet may reduce the anal resting pressure much like a warm sitz bath does.

The Effect of Early Warm Plastic Bag Application on Postoperative Pain after Hemorrhoidectomy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Hemorrhoidectomy is used for the surgical treatment of high-grade hemorrhoids. The most prominent complaint after hemorrhoidectomy is pain. Postoperative pain management is still a big problem after surgery in patients with hemorrhoidectomy. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of early application of warm bag on postoperative pain after hemorrhoidectomy. All patients were randomly divided into warm plastic bag and control groups by using sealed envelopes, which were prepared preoperatively. After standard spinal anesthesia, all patients underwent standard Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy using Ligasure™. Although the study group received the warm bag application, the control group did not receive such a treatment. Two separate visual analog scale (VAS) measurements were performed for postoperative pain assessments on postoperative days, one during the resting state and the other one during the straining phase after the onset of peristaltic bowel movement. Postoperative VAS scores were significantly lower among the warm plastic bag group as compared with the control group on Days 1 and 3 for the resting state and on Day 3 for defecation. Additionally, a significant difference existed between the two groups in terms of the need for additional anesthesia. Local thermal application appears to be a safe and effective method for pain relief after hemorrhoidectomy.

ACG clinical guideline: management of benign anorectal disorders

These guidelines summarize the definitions, diagnostic criteria, differential diagnoses, and treatments of a group of benign disorders of anorectal function and/or structure. Disorders of function include defecation disorders, fecal incontinence, and proctalgia syndromes, whereas disorders of structure include anal fissure and hemorrhoids. Each section reviews the definitions, epidemiology and/or pathophysiology, diagnostic assessment, and treatment recommendations of each entity. These recommendations reflect a comprehensive search of all relevant topics of pertinent English language articles in PubMed, Ovid Medline, and the National Library of Medicine from 1966 to 2013 using appropriate terms for each subject. Recommendations for anal fissure and hemorrhoids lean heavily on adaptation from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Practice Parameters from the most recent published guidelines in 2010 and 2011 and supplemented with subsequent publications through 2013. We used systematic reviews and meta-analyses when available, and this was supplemented by review of published clinical trials.

Scientific evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems of the body

The use of water for various treatments (hydrotherapy) is probably as old as mankind. Hydrotherapy is one of the basic methods of treatment widely used in the system of natural medicine, which is also called as water therapy, aquatic therapy, pool therapy, and balneotherapy. Use of water in various forms and in various temperatures can produce different effects on different system of the body. Many studies/reviews reported the effects of hydrotherapy only on very few systems and there is lack of studies/reviews in reporting the evidence-based effects of hydrotherapy on various systems. We performed PubMed and PubMed central search to review relevant articles in English literature based on "effects of hydrotherapy/balneotherapy" on various systems of the body. Based on the available literature this review suggests that the hydrotherapy has a scientific evidence-based effect on various systems of the body.

Non surgical therapy for anal fissure

BACKGROUND

Because of the disability associated with surgery for anal fissure and the risk of incontinence, medical alternatives for surgery have been sought. Most recently, pharmacologic methods that relax the anal smooth muscle, to accomplish reversibly what occurs in surgery, have been used to obtain fissure healing.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the efficacy and morbidity of various medical therapies for anal fissure.

SEARCH METHODS

Search terms include "anal fissure randomized". Timing from 1966 to August 2010. Further details of the search below.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies in which participants were randomized to a non-surgical therapy for anal fissure. Comparison groups may include an operative procedure, an alternate medical therapy or placebo. Chronic fissure, acute fissure and fissure in children are included in the review. Atypical fissures associated with inflammatory bowel disease or cancer or anal infection are excluded.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were abstracted from published reports and meeting abstracts, assessing method of randomization, blinding, "intention to treat" and drop-outs, therapies, supportive measures (applied to both groups), dosing and frequency and cross-overs. Dichotomous outcome measures included Non-healing of the fissure (a combination of persistence and recurrence), and Adverse events (including incontinence, headache, infection, anaphylaxis). Continuous outcome measures included measures of pain relief and anorectal manometry.

MAIN RESULTS

In this update 23 studies including 1236 participants is added to the 54 studies and 3904 participants in the 2008 publication, however 2 studies were from the last version reclassified as un included, so the final number of participants is 5031.49 different comparisons of the ability of medical therapies to heal anal fissure have been reported in 75 RCTs. Seventeen agents were used (nitroglycerin ointment (GTN), isosorbide mono & dinitrate, Botulinum toxin (Botox), diltiazem, nifedipine (Calcium channel blockers or CCBs), hydrocortisone, lignocaine, bran, minoxidil, indoramin, clove oil, L-arginine, sitz baths, sildenafil, "healer cream" and placebo) as well as Sitz baths, anal dilators and surgical sphincterotomy. GTN was found to be marginally but significantly better than placebo in healing anal fissure (48.9% vs. 35.5%, p < 0.0009), but late recurrence of fissure was common, in the range of 50% of those initially cured. Botox and CCBs were equivalent to GTN in efficacy with fewer adverse events. No medical therapy came close to the efficacy of surgical sphincterotomy, though none of the medical therapies in these RCTs were associated with the risk of incontinence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Medical therapy for chronic anal fissure, currently consisting of topical glyceryl trinitrate, botulinum toxin injection or the topical calcium channel blockers nifedipine or diltiazem in acute and chronic fissure and fissure in children may be applied with a chance of cure that is marginally better than placebo. For chronic fissure in adults all medical therapies are far less effective than surgery. A few of the newer agents investigated show promise based only upon single studies (clove oil, sildenifil and a "healer cream") but lack comparison to more established medications.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2011), Medline (Pubmed) and Embase were searched March to 2011. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.A total of four new trials were included in this update of the review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. All studies must also be randomised. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were treatment failure and post-operative incontinence both to flatus and faeces. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Four trials, encompassing 406 patients were included in this update, with now a total of 2056 patients in the review from 27 studies that describe and analyze 13 different operative procedures. These operative techniques used by these studies include closed lateral sphincterotomy, open lateral internal sphincterotomy, anal stretch, balloon dilation, wound closure, perineoplasty, length of sphincterotomy and fissurectomy. Two new procedures in the update, similar to anal stretch were described- sphincterolysis and controlled intermittent anal dilatation. A new comparison was described, comparing the effects of unilateral internal sphincterotomy and bilateral internal sphincterotomy.Manual Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined analyses of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence Unilateral internal sphincterotomy was shown to be more likely to result in treatment failure compared to bilateral internal sphincterotomy, but there is no significant difference in the risk of incontinence.Sphincterotomy was less likely to result in treatment failure when compared to fissurectomy, but there was no significant difference when considering post-operative incontinence.When comparing sphincterotomy to sphincterolysis, there was no significant difference between the two procedures both in treatment failure and risk of incontinence; the same is the case when comparing sphincterotomy with controlled anal dilation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Manual anal stretch should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision. Bilateral internal sphincterotomy shows promise, but needs further research into its efficacy.

Effect of electronic toilet system (bidet) on anorectal pressure in normal healthy volunteers: influence of different types of water stream and temperature

Although bidets are widely used in Korea, its effects on anorectal pressures have not been studied in detail in terms of the water settings used. Twenty healthy volunteers were placed on a toilet equipped with a bidet, and anorectal pressures were measured with a manometry catheter inserted into the rectum and anal canal before and after using the bidet at different water forces (40, 80, 160, 200 mN), temperatures (24°C vs 38°C), and water jet widths (narrow vs wide). The pressure at anal high pressure zone decreased from 96.1 ± 22.5 to 81.9 ± 23.3 mmHg at water jet pressure of 40 mN and 38°C wide water jet (P < 0.001), from 94.3 ± 22.4 to 80.0 ± 24.1 mmHg at water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38°C narrow water jet (P < 0.001), and from 92.3 ± 22.4 to 79.6 ± 24.7 mmHg at a water jet pressure of 80 mN and 38°C wide water jet (P < 0.001). At other settings, no significant changes were observed. Our results indicate that, in addition to cleansing effect, bidet could be used to reduce anal resting pressure in the same manner as the traditional warm sitz bath under the conditions of low or medium water jet pressure, a warm water temperature, and a wide type water jet.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Operative techniques commonly used for fissure in ano include: anal stretch, open lateral sphincterotomy, closed lateral sphincterotomy, posterior midline sphincterotomy and to a lesser extent dermal flap coverage of the fissure. Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2008), Medline (Pubmed) and Embase were searched July 2008. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.A total of five new trials were included in this version of the review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were persistence of the fissure and post operative incontinence of flatus. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-four trials encompassing 3475 patients are included in this review . Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined results of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Anal stretch and posterior midline internal sphincterotomy should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision.

The effectiveness of sitz bath in managing adult patients with anorectal disorders: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sitz bath is commonly prescribed for anorectal disorders in conjunction with dietary and pharmacological therapies. However, the effectiveness of sitz bath for anorectal disorders is not certain and there has been no previous examination of the evidence using a systematic approach.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to critically analyse and systematically review the evidence to determine the effectiveness of sitz bath in managing adult patients with anorectal disorders.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Types of participants The participants of interest included adults over 18 years of age with diagnosis of anorectal disorders with or without surgical interventions. The participants who underwent episiotomy were excluded from the review.Types of interventions Intervention of interest was sitz bath with or without the combination of pharmacological and dietary therapies.Types of outcome measures The outcomes of interest included overall intensity of pain; post-operative pain score; post-defecation pain score; acceleration of fissure/wound healing; patients' satisfaction level and presence of complications.Types of studies The review considered only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Initially, mesh terms from PubMed were established and were used to search in MEDLINE and CINAHL for analysis of the text words contained in the title and abstract, and the text terms used to describe the article. A second search using all the identified keywords and the search terms were utilised across all accessible and relevant databases from Year 1990 to November 2009 in English language only. Thirdly, the relevant lists of all identified articles were searched for additional studies.

METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY

Selected articles were appraised by 2 reviewers independently for methodological validity using the standardised critical appraisal instruments from Joanna Briggs Institute Systems Meta Analysis of Statistical Assessment and Review Instrument (JBI-MAStARI).

DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION

Data were extracted from the articles included in the review using standardised data extraction tools from the JBI-MAStARI.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The findings were presented in narrative form as statistical pooling was not possible due to clinical heterogeneity.

RESULTS

A total of 4 RCTs were included in the review. The use of sitz bath had no significant impact in reducing overall intensity of pain and post operative pain. Conflicting findings for post defecation pain were reported. It had no impact in accelerating fissure or wound healing. However, patients were satisfied using sitz bath and no severe complications were reported.

CONCLUSION

There was no strong evidence to support the use of sitz bath for pain relief, and accelerate fissure or wound healing among adult patients with anorectal disorders, however no complications were reported.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The benefit of sitz bath is limited to the patients' satisfaction based on the current evidence. Use of water spray as alternative method to sitz bath could be considered for future research.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH

More rigorous research methodology and standardisation tool for outcome measurement are needed for future investigations.

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

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.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Operative techniques commonly used for fissure in ano include: anal stretch, open lateral sphincterotomy, closed lateral sphincterotomy, posterior midline sphincterotomy and to a lesser extent dermal flap coverage of the fissure. Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2005) were searched. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were persistence of the fissure and post operative incontinence of flatus. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-four trials encompassing 3475 patients are included in this review . Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined results of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Anal stretch and posterior midline internal sphincterotomy should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision.