Diltiazem ointment stands out as the most efficient medication in relieving pain post-open hemorrhoidectomy within a week of surgery.
The study carried out an extensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials from various databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, and VIP, up till June 28, 2022. The main criterion was the investigation of the effectiveness and safety of different analgesic interventions in managing pain after open hemorrhoidectomy.
The analysis covered 13 randomized controlled trials, including 731 patients. The interventions were proven more effective than a placebo in mitigating postoperative pain. Various treatments were evaluated, about their effectiveness at different intervals after surgery, using the Visual Analogue Scale. Treatments ranged from glyceryl trinitrate, diltiazem, botulinum toxin, sucralfate to electroacupuncture. Despite the extensive data, there remained limited evidence regarding the safety of these interventions.
