Publication:

Retrospective observational study to evaluate the concept of the warm versus regular room temperature seitz bath in perineal wound healing

Background Seitz bath in post-perineal surgery minimizes pain by reducing anal sphincter tone and also maintains hygiene. The aim and objective of this retrospective study is to compare the effect of warm versus regular room temperature seitz bath. The article clears the concept of seitz bath. The seitz bath gives psychological satisfaction of dressing to patient and helps in boosting the concept of hygiene in their mind.

Method Study design for this study was comparative study of warm and room temperature seitz bath on 60 patients by convenience sampling operated for perineal diseases from 01 November 2019 to 30 March 2020 with written informed consent of patient and fulfilling ethical requirements at Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, Thane, Mumbai. Patients with immunocompromised status and comorbidities like diabetes, tuberculosis, HIV were excluded from study this was the criteria for the study.

Results Out of 60 postoperative cases having perineal wounds, 35 (58.33%) patients opted for warm water seitz bath, while the rest 25 (41.66%) preferred regular room temperature seitz bath. In spite of a greater number of patients opting for warm seitz bath, wound recovery in terms of healing and wound discharge was almost similar in both the study groups. All the patients involved in the study were comfortable to resume their daily activities with significant reduction in pain by the end of first week irrespective of the choice of seitz bath they opted for.

Conclusion The study concludes that symptomatic relief and wound recovery in the operated cases of perineal surgeries completely independent of the choice of seitz bath practiced.