Comparison between a new electronic bidet and conventional sitz baths: a manometric evaluation of the anal resting pressure in normal healthy volunteers

• Published in: Techniques in coloproctology Vol. 19; no. 9; pp. 535 - 540
• Main Authors: Ryoo, S.-B., Oh, H.-K., Han, E. C., Song, Y. S., Seo, M. S., Choe, E. K., Moon, S. H., Park, K. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Milan Springer Milan 01-09-2015; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abdominal Surgery; Adult; Anal Canal - physiology; Baths - instrumentation; Baths - methods; Colorectal Surgery; Digital Rectal Examination; Electrical Equipment and Supplies - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gastroenterology; Healthy Volunteers; Humans; Male; Manometry; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Original Article; Pressure; Proctology; Rectum - physiology; Rest - physiology; Surgery; Water; Young Adult; Manometry; Electronic bidet; Anal resting pressure; Sitz bath
• ISSN: 1123-6337; 1128-045X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10151-015-1350-1

Background
A bidet has been proposed as a replacement for the sitz bath. Like a sitz bath, it brings water into contact with the perineum. However, the high force of water from commercially used electronic bidets may harm the anus. We developed a new electronic bidet and evaluated its effects on anal resting pressure compared with a warm sitz bath.
Methods
Forty volunteers used the electronic bidet and sitz bath on separate days. The electronic bidet was newly designed with warm (38 °C) water and very low force (10 mN) with a fountain type of flow. Anal resting pressure at the high-pressure zone was measured before (control) and after the electronic bidet and sitz bath. Pressure changes after bidet or sitz bath were expressed as percentages compared with control. Water temperatures and rectal temperatures were also recorded.
Results
The anal resting pressures before the electronic bidet and sitz bath were 90.2 ± 24.6 and 88.1 ± 16.8 mmHg, respectively. At 3 min after the electronic bidet and sitz bath, the anal resting pressures were 71.3 ± 23.4 and 69.6 ± 19.8 mmHg, respectively. The pressure changes compared with the control were 78.2 ± 12.9 and 78.1 ± 12.5 %, respectively, which were not significantly different. The maximal increase and minimal decrease were not significantly different. The rectal temperature was not elevated, and the water temperature decreased significantly with the sitz bath (
p
 < 0.001).
Conclusions
Our new electronic bidet may reduce the anal resting pressure much like a warm sitz bath does.