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Cryotherapy Post-haemorrhoidectomy (CYPHER) Randomized Controlled Trial

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Postoperative Pain
Hemorrhoids
Cryotherapy Effect
Postoperative Complications
Interventions
Device: Transanal ice pack
Registration Number
NCT06005727
Lead Sponsor
Singapore General Hospital
Brief Summary

Haemorrhoids is a common problem with an estimated prevalence of 5 to 36%. Surgery is indicated in patients with grade 3 to 4 piles and in patients whom conservative measures have failed. There have been several surgical techniques described such as the Milligan- Morgan, Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy, stapled and laser haemorrhoidectomy. However, most patients experience different degrees of postoperative pain which may cause anxiety and dissatisfaction.

A relatively non-invasive and cost-effective technique targeting inflammation is cryotherapy which has been shown to decrease pain secondary to trauma, injury or disease. Cryotherapy has few deleterious side effects due to its non-pharmacologic nature and has become widespread in sports medicine to treat soft tissue damage.

Therefore, we aim to evaluate the role of cryotherapy in improving postoperative pain and outcomes among patients who undergo haemorrhoidectomy.

Detailed Description

Haemorrhoids is a common problem with an estimated prevalence of 5 to 36%. Surgery is indicated in patients with grade 3 to 4 piles and in patients whom conservative measures have failed. There have been several surgical techniques described such as the Milligan- Morgan, Ferguson haemorrhoidectomy, stapled and laser haemorrhoidectomy. However, most patients experience different degrees of postoperative pain which may cause anxiety and dissatisfaction.

Pain is an unavoidable side effect of any proctology operation. It arises from local inflammation in traumatized tissues which may cause stimulation of surrounding nociceptors. While adequate postoperative analgesia promotes patient recovery and satisfaction, narcotics for postoperative pain are also associated with numerous side effects.

A relatively non-invasive and cost-effective technique targeting inflammation is cryotherapy which has been shown to decrease pain secondary to trauma, injury or disease. Cryotherapy has few deleterious side effects due to its non-pharmacologic nature and has become widespread in sports medicine to treat soft tissue damage. Ice therapy has previously been shown to be safe and effect for postoperative analgesia in various procedures such as laparotomy, hernia repair, tonsillectomy, oral surgery but the evidence for its role in haemorrhoidectomy is lacking.

Therefore, we aim to evaluate the role of cryotherapy in improving postoperative pain and outcomes among patients who undergo haemorrhoidectomy. We hypothesize that intraoperative trans-anal ice pack insertion for patients after haemorrhoidectomy (conventional \& stapled) will have lower postoperative pain scores with possibly decreased postoperative complications.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Age group of patients: 21 to 75 years old
  2. Grade 3 (prolapsed but reducible manually) and Grade 4 (prolapsed but irreducible) piles that are symptomatic
  3. Patients recruited are to undergo either staple or conventional (Milligan-Morgan or Ferguson) haemorrhoidectomy
Exclusion Criteria
  1. Grade 1 and 2 haemorrhoids
  2. Thrombosed, irreducible piles that require emergency haemorrhoidectomy
  3. Patients who had undergone any previous anorectal surgery within 5 years from the date of recruitment
  4. Patients with concurrent anorectal pathology (anal fissures, abscess, fistula, tumour, inflammatory bowel disease)
  5. Pregnant women
  6. Patients with severe medical comorbidities or assessed as ASA 3 and above
  7. Patients on long term antiplatelets (aspirin, plavix) and anticoagulation (clexane, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Transanal ice pack applied to hemorrhoidectomy wound for 1 minuteTransanal ice packTransanal ice pack is applied to hemorrhoidectomy wound for 1 minute. After the surgery, standard postoperative analgesia and medications will be prescribed.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain score on postoperative day 1 after hemorrhoidectomyPostoperative day 1

Pain score on postoperative day from scale of 1 to 10 after hemorrhoidectomy.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Mean time to return to work or regular activity, in days, reported by the patient.Within the first 90 days after the surgery

The time to return to work or regular activity after surgery as reported by the patient

Changes in the mean pain score 1 month after surgery assessed by telephone interviews on POD1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28.Postoperative day 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28.

Pain scores are recorded on the postoperative day 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 and postoperative pain score trends analyzed.

Postoperative complications after hemorrhoidectomyWithin 30 days after surgery

Postoperative bleeding, urinary retention, perianal sepsis, anal stenosis, incontinence

Proportion of patients who had admission after day surgery or readmission for postoperative complicationsWithin 30 days after surgery

Proportion of patients who had readmission or required admission after surgery.

Proportion of patients who require repeat surgical interventions for postoperative complications: bleeding, perianal sepsis and anal stenosisWithin 30 days after surgery

Proportion of patients who required repeat surgical interventions after surgery.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Singapore General Hospital

🇸🇬

Singapore, Singapore

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