Positive effect of balneotherapy on post-PID symptoms

The aim of this study was investigation of effect of balneotherapy after antibiotic treatment of PID.

Fifty-seven patients with PID, diagnosed by laparoscopy, were treated by the same antibiotic scheme (oxytetracycline and metronidazole). After treatment of the acute phase, we studied the effect of balneotherapy (mud baths or mud packs, mineral baths, electrotherapies, and gynecological exercises) under sanatorium conditions in 30 patients. Twenty-seven patients without balneotherapy served as a control group. Second-look laparoscopy with dye insufflation was carried out about 12 weeks after the first operation.

The rate of tubal occlusion after balneotherapy was 31% vs. 28% in patients without balneotherapy (P > .05). Moderate or severe adhesions seen at first look were similar in both groups (40.7% vs. 46.7%) and were nearly unchanged during second-look laparoscopy (44.4% vs. 46.6%). Twelve of 27 (44.4%) control patients had subjective or objective complaints compared to only 2 of 30 (6.7%, P < .05).

Although balneotherapy after antibiotic therapy for acute PID does not improve fallopian tube patency, it is useful to reduce the frequency of lower abdominal pain.