A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY OF CALCIUM ALGINATE (SORBSAN) VERSUS STANDARD GAUZE PACKING FOLLOWING HEMORRHOIDECTOMY

Post-haemorrhoidectomy pain is problematical but may be reduced by usi ng less bulky haemostatic dressings in the anal canal. Fifty consecuti ve patients undergoing haemorrhoidectomy were prospectively randomized to receive either paraffin gauze/cotton gauze roll on calcium alginat e (Sorbsan) roll as a post-operative pack. Post-operative pain was ass essed at 6 h, on removal of rectal packing and at first bowel action. Haemorrhage was monitored at 6 h and removal of pack. There was no dif ference in the hospital stay between the two groups. Pain was signific antly reduced at the time of removal/spontaneous discharge of rectal p acking (P < 0.0001) and first post-operative bo cr el action (P = 0.00 08) in the calcium alginate group. There was no significant difference in post-operative haemorrhage between the two groups. Calcium alginat e dressings following haemorrhoidectomy effectively reduce post-operat ive pain compared to more bulky anal packs.