Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital Professor Kwon Yoonhye's Team
Multicenter Study Comparing Pain Scores for 7 Days After Surgery
"Warm, Low-Pressure Electronic Bidet" as Effective as "Sitz Bath"
A study has found that using an electronic bidet with warm, low water pressure is as effective as sitz baths in relieving pain and healing wounds after hemorrhoid surgery.
According to Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital on the 3rd, a research team led by Professor Kwon Yoon-hye of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital (first author), along with Professors Park Kyu-joo and Yoo Seung-beom of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital (corresponding authors), compared pain scores of 101 patients who underwent hemorrhoid surgery and presented these results.
From the left, Professor Kwon Yoon-hye of Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital, Professors Park Kyu-joo and Yoo Seung-beom of Seoul National University Hospital. Provided by Uijeongbu Eulji University Hospital
The research team conducted a multicenter study by dividing patients into two groups: 51 patients using an electronic bidet with warm, low water pressure (38℃, medium or lower water pressure) and 50 patients using a sitz bath device, and compared their pain scores over seven days post-surgery.
As a result, there was no significant difference in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, a pain assessment measure, between the group using the warm, low-pressure electronic bidet and the group using the sitz bath device.
The VAS score measures the level of pain a patient feels, with ‘0’ representing no pain at all and ‘10’ representing the most severe pain imaginable.
However, the research team stated that this study did not find quantitative evidence that the use of the warm, low-pressure electronic bidet provides pain relief equivalent to that of the sitz bath device.
Hemorrhoids are a representative disease causing pain and bleeding in the anus. Depending on the cause, it is classified into hemorrhoids, where internal blood vessel clusters protrude accompanied by bleeding; anal fissures, where the anus tears; and fistulas, where abscesses around the anus become infected and burst. Among these, hemorrhoids are the most common, so the terms hemorrhoids and piles are often used interchangeably.
Traditionally, sitz baths have been known to help manage pain and wounds after hemorrhoidectomy. Warm water reduces sphincter spasms, alleviating discomfort, and increases blood flow, promoting wound healing.
Recently, with advancements in bidet functions, some studies have revealed that using a low-pressure bidet can also reduce anal sphincter pressure, but until now, there has been no research on using bidets to manage postoperative issues after anal surgery.
Professor Kwon said, “This study is significant as the first to apply bidets for pain relief and wound management after anal disease surgery. Although equivalence between the warm, low-pressure electronic bidet and the sitz bath device was not proven, bidet use was found to be as effective as sitz baths in relieving pain and more convenient to use, indicating the need for further research.”
Professor Kwon added, “Early-stage hemorrhoids may improve with conservative treatments such as sitz baths and medication, but surgical treatment is necessary if symptoms worsen. Due to the nature of the area, many patients hesitate to seek active treatment, but it is crucial to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a specialist once symptoms appear.”
Meanwhile, this study was published under the title ‘Comparison of warm sitz bath and electronic bidet with a lower-force water flow for postoperative management after hemorrhoidectomy (BIDLOW)’ in the January 2025 issue of BMC Surgery, a prestigious SCIE-level international journal in the field of surgical operations.
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