Evaluating the ability of the Sodergren score to guide the management of internal haemorrhoidal disease

Endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding for the treatment of grade II-III internal hemorrhoids: A prospective, multi-center, randomized study

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic rubber band ligation (ERBL) is a nonsurgical technique for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids but is limited by recurrence and post-procedural pain.

AIM

To evaluate satisfaction, long-term recurrence, and post-procedural pain in managing internal hemorrhoids using a combination of polidocanol foam sclerotherapy and ERBL.

METHODS

This was a prospective, multicenter, randomized study. A total of 195 consecutive patients diagnosed with grade II-III internal hemorrhoids were enrolled from four tertiary hospitals and randomly divided into a cap-assisted endoscopic polidocanol foam sclerobanding (EFSB) or an ERBL group. All patients were followed-up for 12 months. Symptom-based severity and post-procedural pain were assessed using a hemorrhoid severity score (HSS) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Continuous variables were reported as medians and interquartile range.

RESULTS

One hundred and ninety-five patients were enrolled, with 98 in the EFSB group. HSS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL group at 8 weeks [4.0 (3.0-5.0) vs 5.0 (4.0-6.0), P = 0.003] and 12-month [2.0 (1.0-3.0) vs 3.0 (2.0-3.0), P < 0.001] of follow-up. The prolapse recurrence rate was lower in the EFSB group at 12 months (11.2% vs 21.6%, P = 0.038). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that EFSB treatment [B = -0.915, 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.301 to -0.530, P = 0.001] and rubber band number (B = 0.843, 95%CI: 0.595-1.092, P < 0.001) were negatively and independently associated with the VAS score 24 hours post-procedure. The median VAS was lower in the EFSB group than in the ERBL [2.0 (1.0-3.0) vs 3.0 (2.0-4.0), P < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Cap-assisted EFSB provided long-term satisfaction and effective relief from the recurrence of prolapse and pain 24 hours post-procedure.

Time to change? Present and prospects of hemorrhoidal classification

As a common benign anal condition, the high incidence and recurrence of hemorrhoids pose challenges for both patients and doctors. The classification of hemorrhoids plays a crucial role in assessing, diagnosing, and treating the condition. By using appropriate classification and corresponding treatment strategies, we can achieve higher cure rates and lower recurrence rates of hemorrhoids. Since the introduction of the Miles classification in 1919, various classifications have been developed, which include objective classifications based on anatomical or instrumental assessment and subjective classifications based on symptoms and patient sensations. These classifications aim to accurately evaluate the condition. In this study, we discuss the evaluation values of each classification in terms of their advantages, disadvantages, treatment relevance, reproducibility, practicality, and assessment value. We also analyze the significant and essential factors, principles of use, and components of assessment indicators of hemorrhoidal classification. This study proposes several strategies to address the limitations of current hemorrhoidal assessment methods. All these will provide a reference for the development regarding the assessment and classification of hemorrhoids and clinical diagnosis and management of hemorrhoids.

Effectiveness of Mayinglong Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment on Wound Healing and Complications after Internal Hemorrhoid Ligation and External Hemorrhoidectomy

Objective

To investigate the effect of Mayinglong Musk Hemorrhoids Ointment on wound healing and complications after internal hemorrhoid ligation and external hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods

This is a retrospective study. A total of 100 patients with mixed hemorrhoids who were treated in our hospital from August 2019 to October 2020 were recruited and assigned to an operation group (n = 50, internal hemorrhoid ligation, and external hemorrhoidectomy) or a combined group (n = 50, use of Mayinglong Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment after internal hemorrhoid ligation and external hemorrhoidectomy). The wound-healing effect, wound-healing time, visual analog scale (VAS), anal function, and complications were compared between the two groups.

Results

The combined group exhibited a significantly higher total effective rate of wound healing when compared with the operation group (p < 0.05). The patients in the combined group experienced remarkably faster wound healing than the operation group (p < 0.05). The visual analog scale (VAS) score of the combined group was significantly lower than that of the operation group (p < 0.05). The combined group obtained superior anal function than the operation group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Mayinglong Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment combined with internal hemorrhoid ligation and external hemorrhoidectomy in the treatment of mixed hemorrhoids yields remarkable outcomes. It improves the wound healing outcomes, accelerates wound healing, relieves postoperative pain, enhances anal function, and reduces the occurrence of postoperative complications in the patient.

Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease in patients with bleeding disorders: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study

Background

The management of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) in patients with bleeding disorders (BD) is challenging. Polidocanol foam sclerotherapy (PFS) is associated with a low rate of bleeding complications. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of PFS in the treatment of HD in patients with and without BD.

Methods

This prospective, multicenter, cohort study enrolled patients with (group B) and without (group A) BD, with symptomatic internal HD grades I–III over an 18-month period. All patients were treated with PFS. Patients with congenital BD did not undergo prior replacement therapy and those with acquired BD due to antithrombotic drugs, did not discontinue therapy. Efficacy outcomes included therapeutic success and HD recurrence during a 1-year follow-up period. To evaluate safety the complications related to PFS were recorded.

Results

We included 228 patients (group A: 155, group B: 73; male/female: 114/114; mean age: 59.4 ± 15.9 years). The baseline hemorrhoidal disease bleeding grade (p < 0.001) and Sodergren hemorrhoidal symptom severity score (p = 0.019) were higher for group B. The overall therapeutic success rate was 93.4% with an average number of sessions of 1.51 ± 0.74, significantly higher for group B (1.68 ± 0.86 vs 1.43 ± 0.65, p = 0.013). Complications occurred in 11.4% of the patients, with bleeding reported in 4.8%. The majority of complications were mild (96.2%). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for therapeutic success, recurrence, or complication rate.

Conclusions

Patients with BD may have more symptomatic HD at baseline. Even so, PSF showed similar effectiveness and safety in patients with BD compared to patients without BD.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10151-022-02600-5.