Our Summary

This research paper explores the use of Botulinum toxin injections to reduce pain after hemorrhoidectomy surgery, a procedure that removes hemorrhoids. The pain after this surgery can be quite severe, so researchers wanted to see if the timing of these injections could impact the level of discomfort patients experience.

In this study, they divided patients into two groups: one group received the injections a week before the surgery, and the other group received the injections during the surgery. They then measured the patients’ pain levels, how much pain medication they needed, how many bowel movements they had per day, how long it took for them to heal, and how long they stayed in the hospital after surgery.

The results showed that the group that received the injections a week before the surgery had significantly less pain and a shorter hospital stay. They also had less pain when resting. The researchers concluded that giving the injections in advance could be a better strategy for managing post-surgery pain.

FAQs

  1. What is the purpose of using Botulinum toxin injections in hemorrhoidectomy surgery?
  2. How does the timing of Botulinum toxin injections impact the level of discomfort patients experience after hemorrhoidectomy surgery?
  3. What were the benefits observed in the group that received the Botulinum toxin injections a week before the surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing a hemorrhoidectomy that receiving Botulinum toxin injections a week before the surgery could help reduce post-surgery pain and shorten their hospital stay. This could be a helpful tip for managing discomfort and promoting a smoother recovery process.

Suitable For

Hemorrhoidectomy is typically recommended for patients who have severe or recurring hemorrhoids that do not respond to conservative treatments such as dietary changes, topical medications, or procedures like rubber band ligation. Patients with large external hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed, or hemorrhoids that are causing significant pain, bleeding, or other symptoms may be candidates for hemorrhoidectomy.

Additionally, patients who have tried other treatments without success, or those who have complications such as thrombosed hemorrhoids (blood clots in the hemorrhoids) may also be recommended for hemorrhoidectomy. It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms and medical history with a healthcare provider to determine if hemorrhoidectomy is the best treatment option for them.

Timeline

Before the hemorrhoidectomy surgery:

  • Patient experiences symptoms of hemorrhoids such as bleeding, itching, pain, and swelling
  • Patient consults with a doctor who recommends a hemorrhoidectomy surgery
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative testing and preparation for surgery
  • Botulinum toxin injections are administered either a week before or during the surgery

After the hemorrhoidectomy surgery:

  • Patient experiences pain and discomfort after the surgery
  • Patient is given pain medication to manage the post-operative pain
  • Patient may experience bowel movements and discomfort during the healing process
  • Researchers monitor the patient’s pain levels, medication usage, bowel movements, healing time, and hospital stay
  • Patients who received the injections a week before the surgery have less pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster healing time compared to those who received the injections during the surgery

Overall, the use of Botulinum toxin injections before hemorrhoidectomy surgery can help reduce post-operative pain and improve patients’ recovery outcomes.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hemorrhoidectomy include:

  1. What is the recovery process like after a hemorrhoidectomy?
  2. How long will it take for me to heal completely?
  3. What can I expect in terms of pain after the surgery?
  4. Are there any potential complications or risks associated with this procedure?
  5. Will I need to take pain medication after the surgery, and if so, for how long?
  6. Are there any alternative treatments or pain management strategies that I should consider?
  7. How soon after the surgery can I resume normal activities, such as work or exercise?
  8. Will I need to make any changes to my diet or lifestyle after the surgery to prevent future hemorrhoids?
  9. What can I do to help speed up the healing process and reduce pain?
  10. Based on the results of this study, would Botulinum toxin injections be a suitable option for me to manage pain after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Cheng YC, Beh JY, Wu PH, Tsai NY, Jao SW. Journal: Tech Coloproctol. 2022 Jan;26(1):53-60. doi: 10.1007/s10151-021-02542-4. Epub 2021 Oct 27. PMID: 34705137