Efficacy of 10% sucralfate ointment after anal fistulotomy: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION

The most frequent problems after anal fistulotomy are pain, bleeding, and delayed or impaired wound healing. Topical Sucralfate preparation has been used to treat a wide variety of wounds. In this study, we investigate effects of 10% sucralfate ointment on wound healing and postoperative pain after fistulotomy.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A total of 41 patients undergoing anorectal fistulotomy were included in this randomized, blinded, controlled trial and were randomly allocated to either sucralfate ointment (every 12 h) or placebo. The patients were visited weekly for up to 5 weeks. The intensity of pain and the wound healing were assessed.

RESULTS

The sucralfate group had significantly less pain at rest (1.92 ± 0.88 vs 2.96 ± 0.98; P = 0.002) and on defecation (1.68 ± 0.92 vs 3.08 ± 1.12; p < 0.001) than the placebo group from 1st to 5th post-operative visits. Complete wound healing was achieved after 8.15 ± 1 weeks in placebo group versus 5.9 ± 0.8 weeks in sucralfate group (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the frequencies of postoperative complications between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with placebo, sucralfate ointment reduced postoperative pain at rest and on defecation and improves wound healing in patients undergoing fistulotomy.