Bulk agent Plantago ovata after Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy with Ligasure.

The aim of this study was to determine usefulness of the bulk agent Plantago ovata in reducing postoperative pain and tenesmus after open hemorrhoidectomy (Milligan-Morgan with Ligasure). Ninety-eight patients were randomized into two groups of 49 patients each. In both groups Milligan-Morgan open hemorrhoidectomy with Ligasure was performed. The first group received postoperatively two sachets daily of 3.26 g of the bulk agent, Plantago ovata, for 20 days. The control group was treated postoperatively with glycerin oil. There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender distribution and hemorrhoid grading, between the two groups. The pain score after first defecation (p < 0.001) and after 10 days (p < 0.01) and the global pain score (p < 0.001) was statistically significantly lower in the group treated with Plantago ovata, while there was no statistically significant difference in the pain level after 20 days (p > 0.05). The hospital stay was statistically significantly shorter in the group receiving Plantago ovata (2.6 +/- 0.6 vs 3.9 +/- 0.7 days, p < 0.001). The incidence of tenesmus was higher in the control group (40.8% vs 10.2%, p < 0.01). Treating patients with Plantago ovata after open hemorrhoidectomy, reduces pain, tenesmus rate and shortens postoperative hospital stay.