Treatment Of Symptomatic Hemorrhoids Research Articles

Laser hemorrhoidoplasty in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids: a pilot Australian study.

Traditional therapeutic approaches to the surgical management of hemorrhoid disease such as hemorrhoidectomies are plagued with severe postoperative pain and protracted recovery. Our pilot study aims to the laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LH) patients with symptomatic hemorrhoid disease that have failed conservative management for the first time in an Australian population. Thirty patients were prospectively enrolled to undergo LH. Postoperative pain, time to return to function, and quality of life (QoL) were determined through the Hemorrhoid Disease Symptom Score and Short Health Scale adapted for hemorrhoidal disease and compared to a historical group of 43 patients who underwent a Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy by the same surgeon at 3, 6, and 12 months. The LH group had significantly lower mean predicted pain scores on days 1 and 2 and lower defecation pain scores and lower opioid analgesia use on days 1, 2, 3, and 4. The median time to return to normal function was significantly lower in the LH group (2 days vs. 9 days, P<0.001). Similarly, the median days to return to the workplace was significantly lower in the LH group (6 days vs. 13 days, P=0.007). During long-term follow-up (12 months), hemorrhoid symptoms and all QoL measures were significantly improved, especially among those with grade II to III disease. This pilot study demonstrates low pain scores with this revivified procedure in an Australian population, indicating possible expansion of the therapeutic options available for this common condition. Further head-to-head studies comparing LH to other hemorrhoid therapies are required to further determine the most efficacious therapeutic approach.

Treatment of Symptomatic Hemorrhoids by Baron’s Band Ligation

Haemorrhoids are a clinical symptom of a change in the normal functional architecture of the inflamed and swollen veins known as the anal cushion. Numerous treatment opportunities are available for this communal issue, but Baron's Gum Ligation (RBL) is the utmost frequently used technique for second- and third-degree haemorrhoids because it treats hemorrhoidal disease without anaesthesia, hospitalization, minimal complications, and ooutpatient discharge is uneventful compared to conventional surgery. Purpose: We conducted this study to evaluate the effectiveness of rubber band ligation in the treatment of second- and third-degree haemorrhoids. Methodology: This prospective study was performed on 76 patients over a six-month period at the Department of General Surgery from January 2021 to June 2021 at Islam Medical College and Teaching Hospital Sialkot. Rubber rubber ligation was used in all patients. A maximum of two haemorrhoids in one session were banded, and third as needed in a check-up done two weeks later. At the end of the fourth week, post-banding assessments were made for the presence and absence of bleeding, pain, and haemorrhoidal prolapse. Results: Of the 76 patients, 60 (78.9%) were male and 16 (21.1%) were female. The M:F ratio was 5.0: 1.0. 37.85 years was the mean age of patients (range 15 to 68). The duration of symptoms in approximately 48 patients (63.2%) was less than one year old, and in 18 (23.7%) patients ranged from 1 to 3 years and 10 (13.2%) patients had symptoms for more than 4 years. Complications occurred in 23 patients, bleeding in three patients, pain in 18 patients, 2 patients have prolapsed. Conclusion: RBL is effective, safe and simple method of symptomatic treatment for 2nd and 3rd degree haemorrhoids in an outpatient setting.

Outpatient Transradial Emborrhoid Technique: A Pilot Study

To determine whether outpatient transradial emborrhoid technique can be performed safely and effectively in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. The transradial emborrhoid technique was used to treat 12 patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids in an outpatient setting during a 4-month period. After percutaneous catheterization of the left radial artery, a 5-Fr sheath was introduced to catheterize the inferior mesenteric artery and a microcatheter was advanced into the branches of the superior rectal artery for embolization with 0.018-inch detachable coils (Interlock and IDC-interlocking detachable coils). After embolization, the sheath was withdrawn and puncture site hemostasis was achieved using a wrist band. All patients were evaluated 6 h after the procedure to determine whether they meet the discharge criteria and were discharged the following day. The results of the emborrhoid treatment were assessed at the 4-week follow-up. The emborrhoid technique was successful in all patients. There was no major complication associated with the procedure. All patients met the discharge criteria 6 h after the procedure. Reduction of local edema and of hemorrhoidal congestion was observed in all patients. At the follow-up visit, the mean Rorvik score (HDSS + SHS-HD) decreased from 31.50 (7.50) to 13.11 (8.33) (p < .001). Transradial rectal artery embolization is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with chronic symptoms of hemorrhoid disease.

Clinical Outcomes and Effectiveness of Laser Treatment for Hemorrhoids: A Systematic Review.

Laser treatment is increasingly used in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids, and several studies have attempted to describe its clinical outcomes. In this systematic review, we aimed to comprehensively analyze the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of laser treatment. We performed a systematic review of currently available data on laser treatment for hemorrhoids. We searched MEDLINE and Google Scholar between January 2009 and May 2020. Studies that described the clinical outcomes and effectiveness of laser treatment were selected based on pre-specified inclusion criteria with a minimum follow-up period of 3months. Qualitative synthesis of the clinical outcomes, effectiveness and complications was performed. Nineteen studies including 1937 patients were analyzed. The majority were males (n = 1239) and included grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids. In the majority (n = 1750, 90.34%), the 980nm wave length diode laser was used as the energy source. Doppler-guided localization was performed in six studies (n = 579, 29.89%). All studies (n = 1937) reported low postoperative pain scores and nine studies (n = 1131) showed significantly lower pain compared to open technique. Furthermore, six studies (n = 1023) showed significantly less intra- and postoperative bleeding compared to open technique. Seven studies (n = 1052) reported long-term follow-up results and were found to be satisfactory in terms of symptom relief and recurrence. This study was limited by heterogeneity of outcomes precluding a meta-analysis. Laser treatment had acceptable clinical outcomes for grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids with lower rates of postoperative pain and bleeding with satisfactory long-term outcomes.

A flexible silicone patch for treatment of hemorrhoids after birth: a pilot study of HEMOCIN® Patch.

To test a non-pharmacological silicone patch for treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids with focus on usability, safety, and self-reported short-term effect. Puerperal women in a Danish maternity ward were cluster randomized to treatment with the HEMOCIN® patch (intervention) or no systematic treatment (control group). On inclusion and after 2 weeks, they completed a questionnaire regarding history and hemorrhoid symptoms scored from 0 to 10. Women in the intervention group also reported on the usability of the patch and any side effects. We included 31 women in the intervention group and 33 in the control group. Twenty-eight (90.3%) women in the intervention group and 27 (81.8%) women in the control group responded to follow-up. Except from a difference in the severity of swelling at inclusion, there were no differences between the two groups for any symptoms, neither at inclusion, nor at follow-up, or in the change of symptoms during the two weeks (p > 0.05). Twenty-three women (85.2%) in the control group used medical treatment vs. one woman in the intervention group. The patch was used on an average of 9.3 days, 15.5 h/day and for 7.1 h before changing the patch. No severe side effects were reported. This pilot study finds that the HEMOCIN® patch is a safe and feasible treatment option for hemorrhoids. However, we did not detect any significant effect on hemorrhoid symptoms. The patch could be an option for people who seek non-pharmacological treatment for symptomatic hemorrhoids or need long-term treatment without steroid side effects.

Hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx): a novel effective procedure to treat hemorrhoidal disease

The hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx), consisting of Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization with laser and the addition of anal mucopexy, is a novel non-excisional procedure to treat hemorrhoids. The aim of the present study was to describe the technique and report the clinical and long-term results. A prospective study was conducted on patients with grade III hemorrhoids who had HeLPexx from January 2012 to February 2018. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough clinical examination, constipation and incontinence scoring systems and a symptom questionnaire which was administered at all patients before surgery and at each follow-up visit to evaluate bleeding, prolapse, manual reduction, discomfort or pain, and impact on quality of life. Each symptom had a score between 0 and 4, (0 indicates no symptoms and 4 indicates daily symptoms). The sum of the score for each symptom constituted the Hemorrhoid Symptom Score. Resolution of symptoms, pain, morbidity, need for further medical and/or surgical therapy were also recorded. One hundred and seventy consecutive patients with grade III hemorrhoids [74 females; mean age 49.5years (range 22-79) years] were included. Median length of follow-up was 36 (range 12-72) months. Postoperative morbidity included urinary retention (7 patients, 4.1%), bleeding not requiring transfusion (1 patient, 0.6%) and thrombosis of hemorrhoidal piles (2 patients, 1.2%). The mean postoperative pain VAS score at 1week postoperatively was 1.8±1.1 (range 0-5) and 12 (7%) patients used pain medications for more than 1week postoperatively while none of the patients reported any pain by the end of the third week postoperatively. The Hemorrhoid Symptom Score significantly improved from 15.83±3.04 to 1.3±2.4 (p≤0.001) and showed a statistically significant improvement in all items. Recurrent symptoms were reported in 12 patients (7%) who required further treatment. Severe chronic constipation prior to surgery was found to be a predictive factor of failure (p = 0.04). HeLPexx appears to be safe and effective for treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Rubber band ligation for bleeding hemorrhoids in hepatic patients

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of rubber band ligation (RBL) in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids in hepatic patients, versus surgical hemorrhoidectomy. Operative (time and blood loss) and postoperative (pain, bleeding, analgesic requirement, urinary retention, discharge, stenosis, fecal incontinence, wound healing and patient satisfaction) outcomes were evaluated. Background The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of hemorrhoidectomy performed using RBL with surgical hemorrhoidectomy. Patients and methods Forty patients with liver disease and diagnosed with grade I, II, or III hemorrhoids were randomized equally to be subjected to either RBL (group A) or surgical conventional hemorrhoidectomy (group B). Operative details were recorded and patients recorded daily pain scores on a linear analog scale. Follow-up was carried out weekly for 2 months and monthly for 6 months to evaluate complications, return to normal activity, ongoing symptoms, and patient satisfaction. Results Intraoperative blood loss was lower in group A, with a mean of 1.2 ± 1.6 ml (range 0–5 ml) versus 22.2 ± 6.58 ml (range 15–35 ml) in group B (P = 0.0001). Operative time was shorter in group A, with a mean of 9.00 ± 2.449 min (range 5–12 min) versus 24.100 ± 3.669 min (range 20–30 min) in group B (P Conclusion RBL operation is recommended for the treatment of hemorrhoids in hepatic patients especially in the second and third stage, as it results in less blood loss, less postoperative pain, earlier wound healing, and earlier return to work.

Perianal abscess following doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization.

The doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (DG-THD) is a well-established and validated minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. As compared to the excisional technique, DG-THD has the advantage of being associated with less post-operative pain and do not compromise the anatomy or the physiology of the anal canal. Our objectif is to describe the first case of perianal abscess following DG-THD. We report perianal abscess in a previously healthy 32-year-old male patient, who underwent DG-THD for grade II hemorrhoids, as an outpatient procedure. One week later, the patient complained of persistent pain in the right iliac fossa and hypogastrium. CT-scan showed a peri-rectal fluid collection with gas bubbles and peripheral enhancement. MRI was obtained after first attempt of elective drainage, showing increase of the collection diameter without any fistula, which prompted a surgical exploration and drainage. Multi sensitive E. coli was found on culture. Post-operative recovery was slow but favourable. To the best of our knowledge, no previous report of perianal abscess following DG-THD has been described in the literature, which we believe in our case to be of haematogenous origin.

Evaluation of two injection sclerosants in the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids in Nigerians.

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 5% phenol in almond oil with 50% dextrose water as sclerosants in the treatment of first- to third-degree haemorrhoids. This was a prospective, comparative study conducted on eighty patients with first-, second- and third-degree haemorrhoids who consented to treatment by injection sclerotherapy with either 5% phenol in almond oil or 50% dextrose water. They were randomised equally into two groups. A total of eighty patients including 58 males and 22 females whose age ranged from 19 to 61 years were included in the study. Bleeding was the chief symptom which was present in 78 (97.5%) patients, and there was complete resolution of this in 92.3% and 89.7% in the 5% phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water groups, respectively, at 6 months (P = 0.905). Similar degrees of resolution were noted for anal protrusion (89.1% and 85.3% in the 5% phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water group, respectively, P = 0.899). The overall complication rate was 3.6% with anal mucosa ulceration being the only complication, occurring in three patients who had 5% phenol in almond oil. Peri-procedure pain, patients satisfaction and acceptability were not significantly different in both groups (P = 0.912, 0.928 and 0.926 respectively). Five percent phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water are equally effective sclerosants in the treatment of haemorrhoids with very low complication rates.

Advantages and limits of hemorrhoidal dearterialization in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids.

In the last two decades, hemorrhoidal dearterialization has become universally accepted as a treatment option for symptomatic hemorrhoids. The rationale for this procedure is based on the assumption that arterial blood overflow is mainly responsible for dilatation of the hemorrhoidal plexus due to the absence of capillary interposition between the arterial and venous systems within the anal canal. Dearterialization, with either suture ligation (Doppler-guided hemorrhoid artery ligation/transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization) or laser (hemorrhoidal laser procedure), may be successfully performed alone or with mucopexy. Although the added value of Doppler-guidance in association with dearterialization has recently been challenged, this imaging method still plays an important role in localizing hemorrhoidal arteries and, therefore, minimizing the effect of anatomic variation among patients. However, it is important to employ the correct Doppler transducer. Some Doppler transducers may not easily detect superficial arteries due to inadequate frequency settings. All techniques of dearterialization have the advantage of preserving the anatomy and physiology of the anal canal, when compared to other surgical treatments for hemorrhoids. This advantage cannot be underestimated as impaired anal function, including fecal incontinence and other defecation disorders, may occur following surgical treatment for hemorrhoids. Furthermore, this potentially devastating problem can occur in patients of all ages, including younger patients.

Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: no more a new technique

Haemorrhoidal disease affect between 4.4% and 36.4% of the general population. The common symptoms are: bleeding, prolapse, pain, discharge, itching and hampered anal hygiene. There is no correlation between specific symptoms and anatomic grading. Apparently severe looking haemorrhoids can cause relatively few symptoms. Open haemorrhoidectomy, as described by Milligan, has been accepted worldwide as the best choice for treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids. In 1998, Longo proposed a procedure for haemorrhoidectomy with minimal postoperative pain, no perianal wound requiring postoperative wound care and a relatively short operative time. His technique presented a new notion for treating haemorrhoids as he proposed circumferential rectal mucosectomy that results in mucosal lifting (anopexy). His aim was not excision of the haemorrhoidal tissue but rather restoring anatomical and physiological aspects of the haemorrhoidal plexus. The grading system described by Goligher, is the most commonly used and is based on objective findings and patient history. Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is performed for grade III and IV, for grade II in case of major bleeding. In lithotomy position and spinal anesthesia and after taking all aseptic precautions, the procedure of stapled hemorrhoidectomy was performed according to Longo’s technique. After this surgical procedure, the need to manually reduce prolapse will have been cured in approximately 90% of patients and the overall preoperative symptoms will be much reduced in the great majority. There should be no anal pain. Bowel habits should have returned to a normal pattern without urgency. One year follow-up or longer 11% of patients had remaining or recurrent prolapse, the reintervention rate is about 10%.

How long to stay in hospital: Stapled versus open hemorrhoidectomy?

Background: Haemorrhoids is a common condition seen in general surgery practice. Treatment includes many methods ranging from rubber band ligation, infrared photocoagulation, sclerotherapy to stapler hemorrhoidectomy. Our study is done to evaluate the efficacy of both the procedures in a rural setting. Objectives of the study was to study the efficacy of two surgical methods of treatment of hemorrhoids, in terms of (1) operation time; (2) post-operative pain; (3) hospital stay; (4) return to normal activity and return to work. Methods: A comparative study was done between open and stapling methods for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids in Al Azhar Medical College, Thodupuzha, India. Results: There was major statistically significant difference seen among different parameters between the two procedures of haemorrhoidectomy, open versus stapler procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH) as evident from the p value. Conclusions: In our study there is a definite difference noted between two surgical methods in terms of hospital stay and return to work. As far as satisfaction of patient is considered in both the groups satisfaction is similar except for the cost of surgery which was the only cause of dissatisfaction.

PTU-233 Transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) and targeted mucopexy for haemorrhoids: 215 consecutive patients in a district general hospital

Introduction This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization and Mucopexy (THD+Mpx) in the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids and to identify the factors predicting failure for an effective mid-term outcome. Method Two hundred and fifteen patients affected by Grade II (27, 13%), III (145, 69%) and IV (39, 18%) symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease underwent THD, with a rectal mucopexy in patients with haemorrhoidal prolapse. The disease was assessed through a specifically designed symptom questionnaire and telephone follow up. A uni- and multivariate analyses of the potential predictive factors for failure were performed. Results The overall success rate was 91.5% (197 patients) after a mean follow-up period of 10.7 ± 8.7 months, with a recurrence of haemorrhoidal prolapse, bleeding, and both symptoms in 10 (4.7%), 3 (1.4%) and 5 (2.4%) patients, respectively. The morbidity rate was 16.5%, represented mainly by pain or tenesmus (19 patients, 9.0%). Acute bleeding requiring surgical haemostasis occurred in two patients (0.9%). No serious or life-threatening complications occurred. At univariate analysis age less than 45 and absence of any morbidity at 30 days were all variables significantly protecting from failure, the grade of haemorrhoid and recurrent disease were not significantly associated with failure. Conclusion THD Doppler is a safe and effective therapy for haemorrhoidal disease. A tailored mucopexy is important to contain and reduce the symptoms. Disclosure of interest None Declared.

Doppler‐guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization for haemorrhoids: results from a multicentre trial

This multicentre study, based on the largest patient population ever published, aims to evaluate the efficacy of Doppler-guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD Doppler) in the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids and to identify the factors predicting failure for an effective mid-term outcome. Eight hundred and three patients affected by Grade II (137, 17.1%), III (548, 68.2%) and IV (118, 14.7%) symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease underwent THD Doppler, with a rectal mucopexy in patients with haemorrhoidal prolapse. The disease was assessed through a specifically designed symptom questionnaire and scoring system. A uni- and multivariate analyses of the potential predictive factors for failure were performed. The morbidity rate was 18.0%, represented mainly by pain or tenesmus (106 patients, 13.0%). Acute bleeding requiring surgical haemostasis occurred in seven patients (0.9%). No serious or life-threatening complications occurred. After a mean follow-up period of 11.1 ± 9.2 months, the overall success rate was 90.7% (728 patients), with a recurrence of haemorrhoidal prolapse, bleeding, and both symptoms in 51 (6.3%), 19 (2.4%) and 5 (0.6%) patients, respectively. Sixteen out of 47 patients undergoing re-operation had a conventional haemorrhoidectomy. All the symptoms were significantly improved in each domain of the score (P < 0.0001). At multivariate analysis the absence of morbidity and performance of a distal Doppler-guided dearterialization were associated with a better outcome. THD Doppler is a safe and effective therapy for haemorrhoidal disease. If this technique is to be employed, an accurate distal Doppler-guided dearterialization and a tailored mucopexy are mandatory to contain and reduce the symptoms.

Outcome of stapled haemorrhoidopexy versus doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation for grade III haemorrhoids

Currently, multiple operations are available for the treat-ment of symptomatic haemorrhoids, and no method isuniversally accepted as superior to the others. The opera-tive approach is often tailored to the individual patientdepending on the surgeon’s preference and experience.Ideally, the surgical procedure for the treatment of haem-orrhoids should be a technique able to provide long-termrelief of symptoms whilst being economical, safe, easy toperform and well tolerated by patients. In recent years, wehave seen a shift towards less invasive procedures mostlyaimed at avoiding or minimizing postoperative pain. Newtechniques such as stapled haemorrhoidopexy (SH) anddoppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL)also known as transanal haemorrhoidal artery ligation(THD) have now become widely accepted for the treatmentof symptomatic haemorrhoids. Both SH and DGHAL havethe advantage of not leaving wounds in the anal canalwhich improves convalescence by reducing postoperativediscomfort. The expected reduction in postoperative painmakes these procedures appealing to the patients, andindeed, their short-term benefits compared to conventionalsurgery have been clearly demonstrated in prospectivecomparative trials and/or observational studies [1–3].However, the real innovation introduced by these proce-dures is the fact that they aim to treat the symptoms whilstnot excising the diseased tissue, as in conventional haem-orrhoidectomy (CH), but by restoring the normal anatomyand correcting the physiology of the haemorrhoidal plexus.This means that the long-term benefits are potentially byfar more important than the short-term ones. With that inmind, the question is whether they actually work andwhether any of these new modalities of treatment issuperior to the other. In this issue of techniques in colo-proctology, Avital et al. [4] showed that pain is signifi-cantly lower in the DGHAL group during the first 24 h, atthe time of the first bowel movement, and at 1 week afterthe operation. However, in this study, a mucopexy inassociation with the DGHAL was never performed. Itcould be argued that performing a plication of the rectalmucosa may improve outcomes but may also lead to morepostoperative pain. Two different prospective trials com-paring SH to THD with rectal mucopexy as standard haveshown less pain and earlier recovery following the THDprocedure [5, 6]. However, reduced postoperative painalthough important is not a measure of success for whichsafety and effectiveness remain the main benchmarks. Todate, there are only a very few other studies comparing thetwo techniques directly and only one reporting results at arelatively long follow-up. Based on the evidence availablefrom comparative studies, these procedures have demon-strated to be equally effective. In Avital et al.’s [4] study,18% of patients in the DGHAL group suffered fromongoing haemorrhoidal symptoms whilst only 3% of thepatients in the SH group did. This reflected in a highernumber of patients requiring further intervention in theDGHAL group. However, once again it could be arguedthat the patients in the DGHAL group did not receive anymucopexy and this may have certainly influenced theoutcome. Indeed, in the prospective trials where rectalmucopexy was used as a standard part of the THD proce-dure, the improvement of symptoms was similar in bothgroups [5, 6]. In the few comparative studies available, onemajor complication was reported following SH whilst nonewere encountered in the DGHAL patients [6]. Outsidethese studies, a significant number of major complications

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy or "hemorrhoidopexy" has gained popularity for the treatment of grade 3-4 hemorrhoids, largely due to decreased pain as compared to traditional surgical hemorrhoidectomy. This decreased pain, along with proven short term efficacy, has been supported by numerous randomized controlled trials. Despite this evidence in support of stapled hemorrhoidectomy, controversy exists due to rare but occasionally life threatening complications, and also due to significant chronic pain experienced by a small but significant subset of patients. Attention to the technical details of the operation will limit these deleterious outcomes, and allow stapled hemorrhoidectomy to maintain it's niche role in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids.

Fiber for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

To evaluate the impact of laxatives on a wide range of symptoms in patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids. We searched using the following sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and CENTRAL, BIOSIS, AMED, Papers First and Proceedings; study authors, industry, and experts in the field. We included all published and unpublished parallel group randomized controlled trials comparing any type of laxative to placebo or no therapy in patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids. Two reviewers independently screened studies for inclusion, retrieved all potentially relevant studies, and extracted data on study population, intervention, prespecified outcomes, and methodology. Seven trials randomized 378 patients to fiber or a nonfiber control. Studies were of moderate quality for most outcomes. Meta-analyses using random effects models suggested that fiber has an apparent beneficial effect. The risk of not improving/persisting symptoms decreased by 47% in the fiber group (RR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.38-0.73) and the risk of bleeding by 50% (RR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.89). Studies with multiple follow-ups, usually at 6 wk and at 3 months, showed consistent results over time. Results are also compatible with large treatment effects in prolapse, pain, and itching, but even in the pooled analyses confidence intervals were wide and compatible with no effect (RR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.37-1.67; RR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.07-1.65; and RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.24-2.10, respectively). One study suggested a decrease in recurrence. Results showed a nonsignificant trend toward increases in mild adverse events in the fiber group (RR = 6.0, 95% CI 0.57-64.8). Trials of fiber show a consistent beneficial effect for symptoms and bleeding in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids.

Laxatives for the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Symptomatic hemorrhoids are a common medical condition, which increase in prevalence in women during pregnancy and postpartum. Although the evidence appears to be inconclusive, narrative reviews and clinical practice guidelines recommend the use of laxatives (and fiber) for the treatment of hemorrhoids and relief of symptoms. This is due to their safety and low cost. To evaluate the impact of laxatives on a wide range of symptoms in people with symptomatic hemorrhoids. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (1966 to 2005), EMBASE (1980 to 2005), CINAHL (1982 to 2005), BIOSIS, and AMED (Allied and Alternative Medicine Database), for eligible trials (including conference proceedings). We sought missing and additional information from authors, industry, and experts in the field. We selected all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials that compared any type of laxative to placebo or no therapy in any patient population. Two authors independently screened studies for inclusion and retrieved all potentially relevant studies. Data were extracted from studies that met our selection criteria on study population, intervention used, pre-specified outcomes, and methodology. We extracted methodological information for the assessment of internal validity: existence and method of generation of the randomization schedule, and method of allocation concealment; blinding of caregivers and outcomes assessors; numbers of and reasons for participants lost to follow up; and use of validated outcome measures. Seven randomised trials enrolling a total of 378 participants to fiber or a non-fiber control were identified. Meta-analyses using random-effects models showed that laxatives in the form of fiber had a beneficial effect in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. The risk of not improving hemorrhoids and having persisting symptoms decreased by 53% in the fiber group (risk reduction (RR) 0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.68). These results are compatible with large treatment effects regarding prolapse, pain, itching, although the pooled analyses showed a tendency toward no-effect for these parametres. The effect on bleeding showed a significant difference in favour of the fiber (RR 0.50, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.89). Studies including data on multiple follow ups (usually after six weeks and three months) showed consistent results over time. However, we have to stress two possible limitations of this review: the risk of publication bias, and only moderate study quality. The use of fiber shows a consistent beneficial effect for relieving overall symptoms and bleeding in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids.

Endoscopic retrograde hemorrhoidal sclerotherapy using 23.4% saline: a preliminary report

Historically, injection sclerotherapy has had a prominent role in the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Concern over sclerosant-related morbidity and dissatisfaction with anoscopic injection techniques has limited the application of this modality in the United States. This study reports an initial evaluation of 23.4% saline, used as a nonallergenic sclerosant, in the flexible endoscopic treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Initial results in 19 patients with symptomatic grade I, II, or III hemorrhoids suggest that the technique is very effective in relieving bleeding, and frequently alleviates prolapse as well. The technique has proven to be well tolerated and associated with high patient satisfaction and low complication rates, with no serious complications noted. This modality is eminently suited for single session examination and therapy of the patient undergoing endoscopic evaluation for lower gastrointestinal bleeding whose findings are limited to hemorrhoidal disease.