Mid-term outcome of a novel nonexcisional technique using aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid sclerotherapy with mucopexy on patients with grade III hemorrhoids

BACKGROUND

Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) is an effective sclerosing agent for the treatment of internal hemorrhoids. ALTA therapy with rectal mucopexy (AM) is a new approach for treating hemorrhoidal prolapse. This study investigated the midterm outcomes of AM surgery in patients with hemorrhoids.

METHODS

Patients with grade III hemorrhoids who underwent AM surgery were enrolled in this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a single institution. Cumulative success rates, postoperative symptoms, including pain scores, analgesic requirements, and postoperative complications, and patient satisfaction were assessed.

RESULTS

The median number of ALTA injection procedures was 3 (range 1-4), and the median total injection dose was 19 mL (range 7-32 mL). The median number of mucopexy procedures was 2 (range 1-4). The median postoperative pain score (0 = no pain at all, 10 = worst pain imaginable) at rest or during defecation were ≤2. The total dose of analgesics administered during the first two weeks after surgery was 1 (range 0-25). Six patients (5.3%) showed postoperative complications: five showed Clavien-Dindo (C-D) grade I and one showed C-D grade IIIa complications. Cumulative success rates at one, three, and five years were 96.5%, 85.3%, and 85.3%, respectively. Patient satisfaction scores, which were assessed using a 10-point scale, were ≥9 at each postoperative year.

CONCLUSIONS

AM surgery is an effective non-excisional surgery with satisfactory mid-term results for grade III hemorrhoids, and is associated with lower complication rates, postoperative analgesic requirements, and higher patient satisfaction.

Simple mucopexy and hemorrhoidal arterial ligation with and without Doppler guide: a randomized clinical trial for short-term outcome

PURPOSE

Hemorrhoids are the most common benign anorectal diseases. Mucopexy strengthens the anal canal mucosa, which can be performed alone or in combination with Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL). In this study, we compared the postoperative complications between simple mucopexy plus HAL with and without a Doppler guide.

METHODS

This study was performed as a single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Patients referred to a tertiary colorectal referral clinic with grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids who were candidates for surgical intervention entered the study. Thirty-six patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. Group A including 18 patients underwent mucopexy and DG-HAL and the other 18 patients (group B) underwent standard mucopexy and HAL without a Doppler guide. Postoperative pain score and the duration of oral analgesic consumption were recorded. Additionally, postoperative symptoms and complications were recorded and compared between the 2 methods.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in terms of pain score and the duration of postoperative analgesic consumption as well as the incidence of postoperative complications. Besides, the primary grade of hemorrhoids was not significantly associated with recurrence, but there was a significant association between body mass index and Wexner score (WS) with recurrence. The mean WS of patients showed a significant decrease in both groups postoperatively. However, the rate of WS reduction was not remarkably different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Simple mucopexy with blind HAL (without Doppler guide) might be considered for the treatment of grades 3 and 4 hemorrhoids effectively.

Early Postoperative Outcomes of a Novel Nonexcisional Technique Using Aluminum Potassium Sulfate and Tannic Acid Sclerotherapy With Mucopexy on Patients With Grade III Hemorrhoids

Purpose

Aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA; Zion, Mitsubishi Pharma Corp.) is an effective sclerosing agent for internal hemorrhoids. ALTA therapy with a rectal mucopexy (AM) is a new approach for treating hemorrhoidal prolapse. This study compared the early postoperative outcomes of AM surgery with Doppler-guided transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization and mucopexy (DM) in patients with third-degree hemorrhoids.

Methods

AM surgery was performed on 32 patients with grade III hemorrhoids and was compared with a cohort of 22 patients who underwent DM surgery in a previous randomized controlled trial.

Results

The pain scores during defecation were significantly lower in the AM patients beginning 4 days after surgery. The total use of analgesics 2 weeks postoperatively was significantly lower in the AM patients than in the DM patients (3.5 tablets [range 1.6–5.5] vs. 7.6 tablets [range 3.3–11.9], P=0.04). The length of operation, blood loss, and incidence of postoperative complications were significantly lower in the AM patients than in the DM patients. During 12 months follow-up, recurrence of prolapse occurred in 1 patient who underwent AM surgery.

Conclusion

AM surgery is effective, with lower complication rates and postoperative analgesic requirements, and is a less invasive treatment for patients with grade III hemorrhoids compared to DM surgery.

Safety and effectiveness of hemorrhoidal artery ligation using the HAL-RAR technique for hemorrhoidal disease

PURPOSE

A wide variety of methods has been proposed for treating hemorrhoidal disease. The aim of the study is to assess the safety and effectiveness of hemorrhoidal artery ligation with rectoanal repair (HAL-RAR).

METHODS

Retrospective study from January 2010 to November 2019 of patients who underwent HAL-RAR for grade II, resistant to conservative treatment, and grades III and IV hemorrhoidal disease. Demographics, degree of disease, hospital stay, postoperative pain, complications, and recurrence were recorded. Patients were followed up at postoperative days 1 and 8 and at 1, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

A total of 105 patients (60 men, 45 women) underwent HAL-RAR. Median age was 49 (range, 20-86) years. Two patients with hemorrhoidal thrombosis underwent emergent excision of the hemorrhoid. Median length of hospital stay was 2 (range, 1-13) days. Patients reported median visual analog scale pain score 3 (range, 1-5) on the 1st postoperative day. At 1 month, no patient reported pain, 84.76% of patients confirmed complete resolution of symptoms, while complication rate was 7.61%: 2 patients presented urinary retention, 3 dyschezia, 2 bleeding, and 1 hemorrhoidal necrosis. At 6 months, 2 patients presented mild symptoms and 7 recurrence. At 12 months, 92.4% of patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms, 2 patients intermittent bleeding, and 2 recurrence. Overall recurrence and re-intervention rate were 8.57% rate and 10.5%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

HAL-RAR is a safe and effective minimal invasive operative technique related to a high percentage of success, low complication, and recurrence rates. Long-term follow-up is lacking and would better establish the results of this technique.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Trial registration number NCT04778124 Date of registration 26/02/2021 "retrospectively registered".

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization: Lessons learned from a personal series of 200 consecutive cases and a proposal for a tailor-made procedure

Background

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is an effective treatment for hemorrhoidal disease (HD). However, the surgical technique is not standardized and the results for advanced HD are controversial. The aim of this study was to assess surgical outcomes after a long follow-up and compare total and partial mucopexy.

Materials and methods

Between March 2011 and July 2014, THD was offered to patients with symptomatic prolapsed hemorrhoids (Grades II, III and IV). Dearterialization was performed with the guidance of Ultrasound Doppler and mucopexy for prolapsed piles, and regarded as total or partial (if less than 6 mucopexies). Post-operative complications, long-term results and patients’ satisfaction rates were analyzed.

Results

200 consecutive patients were recruited with a mean follow-up of 43 months (range 29 - 57 months). HD distribution was GII (N = 35, 17.5%), GIII (N = 124, 62%), and GIV (N = 41, 20.5%). Postoperative complications included transient tenesmus (26,5%), pain (14%) and fecal impaction (2,5%). Recurrence rates were 0, 2,4% and 17,1% for prolapse (p < 0,01) and 2,9%, 4% and 9,8% for bleeding (p = 0,33) in grades II, III and IV, respectively. Total mucopexy resulted in more tenesmus (31,2%) than partial mucopexy (14,5%), (p < 0,01). After 12 weeks of follow-up, 85% of patients were either very satisfied or satisfied; 8,5% were dissatisfied.

Conclusion

THD-mucopexy is safe with low overall recurrence. Grade IV HD is associated with more recurrence and postoperative complications. Total mucopexy is associated with more tenesmus, pain and fecal impaction. A tailor-made procedure with selective dearterialization and mucopexy may be the next step in this evolving technique.

•

.THD is safe procedure for hemorrhoids with low overall recurrence of prolapse and bleeding.

•

.THD for grade IV hemorrhoidal disease is associated with more recurrence.

•

.THD with partial mucopexy achieves similar good results compared to total mucopexy.

•

.THD with total mucopexy is associated with more postoperative tenesmus, pain and fecal impaction.

•

.The number of dearterializations and mucopexies should be tailor-made.

A cohort study analysing outcomes following transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation (THD)

BACKGROUND

Although conventional open haemorrhoidectomy and stapled haemorrhoidectomy are effective procedures, they can lead to significant post-operative pain with risks to continence. Current evidence favours transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation (THD) and targeted mucopexy to be an efficacious alternative to conventional modalities. Our aim was to assess the midterm outcomes following THD.

METHODS

Prospective data was collected for patients undergoing day case THD under a single consultant over a 9-year period (March 2009 to February 2018). Data collected included: intra-operative findings, post-operative pain (defined as requirement of analgesia in recovery), post-operative complications and requirement of further procedures.

RESULTS

Over this time period, 271 patients underwent THD, with 203 (74.9%) patients also undergoing targeted mucopexy for 2nd to 4th degree haemorrhoids. Only 4 (1.5%) patients suffered from post-operative complications, including significant bleeding (n = 1), urinary retention (n = 1) and constipation (n = 2). Post-operative pain was identified in only 10 (3.7%) patients; eight of which had simultaneously undergone an additional procedure (e.g. excision of anal polyps and skin tags). Only 5 (1.8%) patients were identified that required further haemorrhoidal invasive intervention subsequently.

CONCLUSIONS

These results are comparable with national data and demonstrate that THD is a safe procedure for symptomatic haemorrhoids with minimal morbidity.

Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) for hemorrhoidal disease: a single-center study on 1000 consecutive cases and a review of the literature

Background

The transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) Doppler procedure is a minimally invasive technique to treat symptomatic hemorrhoids. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical efficacy and the satisfaction of patients in a large series treated with THD and to review the relevant literature.

Methods

In this retrospective, single-institution, study consecutive patients with grade 2, 3, or 4 hemorrhoidal disease were treated with the THD Doppler procedure. Dearterialization was performed in all cases and mucopexy in case of prolapse. The dearterialization procedure evolved from “proximal artery ligation” to “distal Doppler-guided dearterialization.” Follow-up was scheduled at 15 days, 1, 3, 12 months, and once a year thereafter. Complications were recorded. Clinical efficacy was assessed comparing both frequency of symptoms and disease grading (Goligher’s classification) at baseline versus last follow-up. Uni-/multivariate analysis evaluated factors affecting the outcome.

Results

There were 1000 patients (619 men; mean age: 48.6 years, range 19–88 years). Acute postoperative bleeding was observed in 14 patients (1.4%), pain/tenesmus in 31 patients (3.1%), and urinary retention in 23 patients (2.3%). At mean follow-up duration of 44 ± 29 months, the symptomatic recurrence rate was 9.5% (95 patients; bleeding in 12 (1.2%), prolapse in 46 (4.6%), and bleeding and prolapse in 37 (3.7%) patients). The recurrence rate was 8.5, 8.7, and 18.1% in patients with grade 2, 3, and 4 hemorrhoids, respectively. Seventy out of 95 patients with recurrence needed surgery (reoperation rate: 7.0%). At final follow-up and taking into account the reoperations, 95.7% of patients had no hemorrhoidal disease on examination. Younger age, grade 4 disease, and high artery ligation affected the outcome negatively.

Conclusions

Our results show that the THD Doppler procedure is safe and effective in patients with hemorrhoidal disease and associated with low morbidity and recurrence rates and a high rate percentage of treatment success.

Transanal hemorrhoid dearterialization is a safe and effective outpatient procedure for the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease

INTRODUCTION

This prospective, observational study evaluated transanal dearterialization (THD) efficacy and safety in grade 2-4 hemorrhoids (HD).

METHODS

THD was performed under sedation-locoregional anesthesia in 402 outpatients. Patients had follow-up evaluation 3 days, 2 weeks, 1, 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Postoperative complications and recurrence of symptoms at 12 months were analyzed. The relationship between the learning curve and the number of postoperative complications was studied.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 46.4 (range 20-85) years. A total of 268 patients (66.6%) were male. Sixteen patients (4.0%) had grade 2 HD, 210 (52.2%) had grade 3 and 176 (43.8%) had grade 4 HD. Surgery lasted 23 (17-34) min. A total of 67 patients had complications: bleeding in 10 patients (2.5%), hemorrhoidal thromboses in 10 (2.5%), perianal fistulas in 5 (1.2%), fissures in 14 (3.5%), urinary retention in 3 (0.8%), residual prolapse in 19 (4.7%), severe anal pain in 3 (0.8%), and perianal abscess in 3 patients (0.8%). Recurrent HD occurred in 6.3% (1/16) of grade 2 HD patients, 5.8% (12/210) of grade 3 patients and 9.7% (17/176) of grade 4 patients. Twelve months after THD, bleeding was controlled in 363 patients (90.5%), prolapse was controlled in 391 (97.3%) and pain markedly improved in 390 patients (97%).

CONCLUSION

THD appears safe and effective for grade 2-4 HD, and the number of complications decreased with increasing surgeon experience. THD advantages include mild pain, fast recovery, early return to daily activities and low incidence of complications.

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.

Doppler-guided ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries with mucopexy: A technique for the future

PURPOSE

The transanal hemorrhoidal de-arterialization (THD) procedure is an effective treatment of hemorrhoidal disease. The ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries ("de-arterialization") can provide a significant reduction of arterial blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissues. Plication of redundant rectal mucosa/submucosa ("mucopexy") can reposition prolapsing tissue to its original anatomical site. In this paper the surgical technique using a specific device (THD(®) Doppler) and peri-operative patient management are illustrated.

METHODS

After appropriate clinical assessment, patients undergo the THD procedure under general or spinal anesthesia, in either the dorsal lithotomy or prone jackknife position. A specifically designed device is used. In all patients, THD is performed, consisting of selective ligation of hemorrhoidal arteries identified by Doppler and marked with a mucosal stitch overlying the artery. In patients with hemorrhoidal or mucosal prolapse, a mucopexy is also performed using continuous suture(s) that include the redundant prolapsing mucosa and submucosa.

RESULTS

In long-term follow-up, THD results in resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients. The most common complication is transient but sometimes-painful tenesmus. Rectal bleeding occurs in only a very limited number of patients. There is little or no risk of fecal incontinence or chronic pain. Ano-rectal manometry and endo-anal ultrasound show no evidence of injury to physiologic sphincteric function.

CONCLUSIONS

THD is a safe procedure and is, at present, one of the most effective treatments of hemorrhoidal disease.

A prospective and comparative study between stapled hemorrhoidopexy and hemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy between stapled hemorrhoidopexy (Longo technique) and transanal hemorrhoidal artery ligation with mucopexy (THDm) in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From June 2009 to January 2011, 81 patients having grade II or III hemorrhoidal disease underwent prospective evaluation followed by surgery at two centers (27 Longo and 54 THDm). Symptoms (bleeding, tenesmus, prolapse, fecal incontinence, pain) and the satisfaction score were compared on the first post-operative day and at 1, 6, 12, and 24 months thereafter. The follow-up was 24 months.

RESULTS

There was no difference in mean length of stay. One complication (recto-vaginal fistula) was observed after Longo. The prolapse score was significantly lower after THDm than after Longo on the first post-operative day (P < 0.0015). Bleeding score after THDm was significantly lower on the first post-operative day (P = 0.04), but higher thereafter (P = 0.03 and P = 0.04). Tenesmus score after THDm was significantly lower for the first three months (P < 0.06 and 0.001). On the first post-operative day and at one month, the visual analog pain score was significantly lower after THDm than that after Longo (P < 0.0003 et P < 0.01). On the first post-operative day and at one month, the satisfaction score was higher after THDm than after Longo (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

THDm was safe and effective. Short-term outcomes after THDm were better than after Longo but long-term results seemed to be similar.