Cryotherapy Post-haemorrhoidectomy (CYPHER) Randomized Controlled Trial

Cryotherapy Post-haemorrhoidectomy (CYPHER) Randomized Controlled Trial

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.

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.

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)