Efficacy of Aloe Vera cream versus transcutanous electrical nerve stimulation on post hemorrhoidectomy pain

Abstract

Background: Post - haemorrhoidectomy pain a major dilemma facing either patients or doctors and a little research work have been done to done to eliminate or decrease this agonizing pain. Aims & Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the best treatment modality to decrease Post - haemorrhoidectomy pain either by natural pharmacological agent (aloe vera cram) or non-inexpensive , non-invasive physiotherapeutic modality Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as measured by visual analogue score (VAS) or post-operative analgesic consumption. Material and Methods: Thirty female patients ranging in age from 18 to 40 years and who had done open haemorrhoidectomy were classified into 3 equal groups 10 of each, Group (1): received aloe vera cream in addition to analgesic drugs , Group (2): received TENS application over acupuncture points in the hand in addition to analgesic drugs. And Group (3): served as control group and receive only analgesic drugs. Measurements of knee extension range of motion were conducted before treatment, post 5 days of treatment, and after 8 days of treatment. Results: The one way analysis of variance was used to compare VAS and postoperative analgesic consumption which revealed that both treatment groups (aloe vera and TENS) had significant (P< 0.05) decrease in VAS post-operative analgesic consumption either at 1st and 2nd week postoperatively. But aloe vera cream had highly significant (P< 0.001) decrease in VAS post-operative analgesic consumption either at 1st and 2nd week postoperatively when compared with TENS group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that aloe vera cream is more effective than TENS alone to decease post- haemorrhoidectomy pain.