The Use of Electronic Bidets Compared to Water Rinsing After Surgery for Anal Fistula or Haemorrhoidal Disease: a Pilot Study

NCT07874711 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Bidet
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

There is still much to discover in the field of proctological postoperative care. There has already been some, albeit very little, research about its use post-haemorrhoidectomy as well as its possible effect on anal fissures, but no articles to date have been written about the use of bidets in the treatment of anal fistula or after surgery for fissures. This lack of research is evident in the guidelines written about proctological problems. The guidelines about wound rinsing after proctological surgery are based on expert opinion instead of on research and they don't mention the use of bidets at all.

Conditions

Anal Fistula Surgery; Anal Fistula; Hemorrhoidal Disease; Hemorrhoid Surgery; Proctological Disorders; Proctological Postoperative Care; Electronic Bidet; Bidet; Hemorrhoidectomy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• mean difference between the 2 groups in comfort of the anal rinsing

  mean difference between the 2 groups in comfort of the anal rinsing using a 5-level Likert scale and the patient-reported pruritus on a 10-VAS-score

  From signing the ICF till 6 weeks after

• mean difference between the 2 groups in ease of use

  The difference between the two groups in terms of ease of use of the bidet compared with conventional rinsing will be assessed using a self-developed questionnaire.

  From signing the ICF till 6 weeks after

• mean difference between the 2 groups in perceived hygiene

  The difference between the two groups in terms of perceived hygiene of the bidet compared with conventional rinsing will be assessed using a self-developed questionnaire.

  From signing the ICF till 6 weeks after

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• mean change in overall patient satisfaction

  time of singing the ICF till 6 weeks after

• perceived quality of personal care

  time of singing the ICF till 6 weeks after

Study Arms (2)

standard water rinsing

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Other: standard water rinsing

Electronic bidet

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Device: Electronic bidet

Interventions

Electronic bidet DEVICE

an electronic bidet will be used to rinse the postoperative anal wounds

Electronic bidet

standard water rinsing OTHER

standard water rinsing will be used to clean postoperative anal wounds

standard water rinsing

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Patients will undergo fistulotomy or sphincter-sparing surgery for AF or haemorrhoidec-tomy for HD
• years or older
• Able to speak and read Dutch or French
• Patients must have a power outlet within 3m of their toilet or they need to be able to use an extension cable

You may not qualify if:

• Systemic diseases with perianal impact
• Altered perianal sensation (to prevent burns because of the warm water)
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic dermatological conditions
• AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Patients under immunosuppression after a solid organ or stem cell transplantation
• Heart failure
• Kidney failure with eGFR under 60ml/min
• Current malignancy
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• The use of a bidet at home before the start of the study

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel: lead

Study Sites (1)

UZ Brussel

Brussels, 1090, Belgium

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Rectal Fistula

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Intestinal Fistula; Digestive System Fistula; Digestive System Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Fistula; Pathological Conditions, Anatomical; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Magali Surmont, MD

CONTACT

+3224776011; magali.surmont@uzbrussel.be

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NON RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: 40 patients that undergo surgery for haemorrhoidal disease or anal fistula will be divided into 2 groups. The first group will need to carry out the standard water rinsing with a showerhead to keep the postoperative anal wound clean. The second group will need to use an electronic bidet to clean their postoperative anal wound.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 5, 2026
• First Posted: October 15, 2026
• Study Start: October 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2028
• Last Updated: October 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Locations

BE (1)