BACKGROUND: Posthemorrhoidectomy pain represents annoying problem for the surgeon & the patient; despite Its control can be done by analgesic ladder; it remains in question.
Purposes: The current study investigated the efficacy of topical tannic acid powder in reducing postoperative pain, promoting wound healing after open diathermy hemorrhoidectomy and prevention of secondary hemorrhage.
Patients and methods: A prospective, randomized trial was conducted to ninety-seven patients suffering from grade 3 or 4 internal or external hemorrhoidal disease; to compare posthemorrhoidectomy pain & wound healing with the use of topical tannic acid applied to the surgical site. vs. placebo carrier. Postoperative follow up was for 3 months.
Results: Topical tannic acid patients improved postoperative pain at 1st 2 days (VAS: 1.2 ± 0.4 vs. 8.2 ± 0.6; P