Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus). Surgery to remove haemorrhoids (haemorrhoidectomy) often leads to pain and discomfort in the period after the operation. Injection of methylene blue, a biological dye, around the anus (perianal) has been shown anecdotally to cause less pain. Methylene blue has also been used successfully in patients with severe itch around the anus who failed to improve with medication. Excellent results have been reported in an earlier study of patients undergoing lateral sphincterotomy (a procedure to treat anal fissures). The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of methylene blue injection on pain after haemorrhoidectomy.
Who can participate?
Patients aged between 21 and 80 with haemorrhoids
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with either methylene blue and marcaine (an anesthetic), or marcaine only. After the operation participants are asked to fill in a pain diary and to attend the standard routine reviews in the outpatient clinics. Participation in the study lasts 6 weeks, which is the usual follow-up period for a haemorrhoidectomy patient. Participants need to visit the doctor’s office two times in the course of the study at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the procedure for assessment of their wounds. These visits are part of routine assessment after surgery.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There is no expected benefit from participation in this study. However, participation in this study may add to the medical knowledge about the use of methylene blue on pain after haemorrhoidectomy. Methylene blue, being a biological dye, will cause temporary discoloration of the skin and urine. Very rarely, perianal infections may occur. Allergic reactions can occur with any drug. Common symptoms include rash and itch. To date, no severe or life-threatening allergic reaction has occurred with methylene blue. Symptoms of a severe reaction include: swelling of the face, difficulty breathing, and a sudden drop in blood pressure that may cause dizziness. Even though methylene blue is commonly used, participants may experience other side effects that have not yet been reported.
Where is the study run from?
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (Singapore)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2008 to January 2012
Who is funding the study?
Investigator initiated and funded (Singapore)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Tan Kok Yang
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
SUR-001, DSRB Ref: D/07/508
Study information
Scientific title
A single centre prospective randomised clinical trial of the use of perianal methylene blue injection on post-haemorrhoidectomy pain
Acronym
Study hypothesis
To assess the efficacy of perianal methylene blue injection in the reduction of post-haemorrhoidectomy pain.
Ethics approval
National Healthcare Group Domain - Specific Review Board (DSRB), 27/03/2008, ref: D/07/508
Study design
Single-centre prospective randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Treatment
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Symptomatic 3rd and 4th degree haemorrhoids
Intervention
Patients will be randomised to undergo haemorrhoidectomy with methylene blue and marcaine 0.5% or marcaine 0.5% only alone intradermal injections using sealed envelopes. A standard medication package will be given to all patients post-operatively.
A standardised general anaesthesia technique would be used. All patients will be given fleet enema prior to surgery. A colorectal surgeon will perform standard Milligan Morgan open haemorrhoidectiomies. 4ml of 1% methylene blue and 16ml of 0.5% marciane will be injected into perianal skin if patient is randomised into methylene blue group. 16mls of marcaine 0.5% and 4ml of saline will be infected if randomised to marcaine alone arm.
Post operative care:
All patients will be prescribed with Fybogel® one sachet daily, Daflon® two tablets twice per day, paracetamol 1g six hourly and diclofenac 50mg twice a day for 2 weeks. All patients will be discharged on the same post-operative day unless otherwise indicated. Wound care advice will be given for patients to clean their wound with shower spray twice per day. They will be given appointment for follow up at 2 weeks and 6 weeks post surgery.
Intervention type
Drug
Phase
Not Applicable
Drug names
Methylene blue, marcain
Primary outcome measures
1. Pain, assessed using a 11-point visual analogue pain score from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain; 10 = unbearable pain). Participants will be asked to record their maximum pain score daily before retiring.
2. Total number of analgesics tablets patients have taken for the day
Secondary outcome measures
Complications which include:
1. Pain requiring unscheduled stay or unscheduled return
2. Urinary retention
3. Delayed bleeding
4. Discharge
5. Itching
6. Skin reaction to methylene blue
Overall trial start date
27/08/2008
Overall trial end date
26/01/2012
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Fresh cases of symptomatic 3rd and 4th degree haemorrhoids
2. Aged between 21 and 80 years of age
3. Able to give informed consent
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
80
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Undergoing combined procedures for fissures or fistulae
2. Do not give informed consent
3. Allergy reactions to diclofenac, Daflon®, Fybogel®, methylene blue, paracetamol
4. Pregnant or breast feeding women
Recruitment start date
27/08/2008
Recruitment end date
26/01/2012
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Singapore
Trial participating centre
Khoo Teck Puat Hospital
-
768828
Singapore
Funders
Funder type
Other
Funder name
Investigator initiated and funded (Singapore)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Not provided at time of registration
Intention to publish date
Participant level data
Not provided at time of registration
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary