Is warm water sitz bath still needed after anal fistula surgery?

After surgery for anal fistula, warm water sitz baths are required. This is mainly because the surgical incision cannot be sutured and must remain open. Warm water sitz baths help clean the wound and promote early healing. During the bath, diluted potassium permanganate solution or traditional Chinese herbal solutions may be added to help reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and bleeding. The specific duration and method of sitz baths should be determined based on factors such as the size of the surgical wound, the surgical technique used, and the patient's recovery progress. For example, patients with smaller wounds and good recovery may begin sitz baths earlier, while those with larger wounds or slower recovery may need to wait longer before starting. Warm water sitz baths after anal fistula surgery are necessary and beneficial, but should be performed under a doctor's guidance.