Myrrh sitz bath for wound healing after hemorrhoidectomy: A retrospective study of adverse effects and treatment outcomes

Abstract

Background and AimHemorrhoids affect 75% of people worldwide. surgical hemorrhoidectomy remains the definitive intervention for severe cases. Postoperative wound care is critical, and alternative treatments, like Myrrh, are of growing interest due to their potential wound‐healing properties. This study aimed to compare the safety, efficacy, and treatment outcomes of Myrrh sitz baths with standard clinical care in promoting wound healing after hemorrhoidectomy.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was carried out using medical records from Abha Private Hospital for the period of January–December 2022. The data of patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy were collected and categorized based on postoperative wound care into two groups: Group A for Myrrh‐based wound care as a self‐medication and Group B for standard wound care.ResultsThe study included 67 patients who underwent hemorrhoidectomy. Out of these patients, 52 had standard wound care, while 15 used Myrrh‐based wound care as self‐treatment without medical advice. The Myrrh group patients were significantly older with more comorbidities. The Myrrh group had significant Grade III wound healing outcomes 9/15 (60%) compared to the standard care group 2/52 (3.8%) (p < 0.001). However, despite the better healing outcomes, the Myrrh group had a significantly higher complication rate 7/15(46.7%) than the standard care group 1/52 (1.9%) (p < 0.001). These results indicate that despite the good healing capacity of Myrrh, cautious usage must be considered.ConclusionMyrrh sitz baths appear more effective than standard wound care in enhancing healing after hemorrhoidectomy. However, increased complications suggest the necessity for comprehensive evaluation and research on its safety profile. These findings can guide future research and clinical practices related to postoperative wound care.