Purpose: Open haemorrhoidectomy is associated with significant postoperative pain. Metronidazole is commonly prescribed in the postoperative period as an adjunct to analgesia in pain management.
Methods: In our systematic review, studies were identified using PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase/Ovid and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials databases. Studies were included if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving interventions with oral metronidazole at any dose over any time period. The primary outcome was pain score (visual analogue scale, VAS) after open haemorrhoidectomy. Secondary outcomes included time to return to normal daily activities, additional analgesia usage, and postoperative complications.
Results: Of 14 RCTs reviewed, 4 met inclusion criteria and were selected. The studies comprised 336 study subjects and 169 subjects were randomised to metronidazole while 167 were in the control group. There was a significant reduction in VAS across all time points, with maximal reduction seen on day 5 posthaemorrhoidectomy (mean difference, -2.28; 95% confidence interval, -2.49 to -2.08; P < 0.001). There was no difference in incidence of complications (P = 0.13). The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool showed 3 of 4 of the studies had a risk of bias.
Conclusion: Metronidazole may be associated with decreased pain but there is insufficient evidence from RCTs to provide a strong grade of recommendation. Further RCTs are required.
Keywords: Haemorrhoidectomy; Metronidazole; Open haemorrhoidectomy; Postoperative pain.