Abstract :
Context: Minimally invasive procedures are used for treatment of nonresponsive hemorrhoids to conservative therapy. These OPD (Out-Patient Department) procedures are effective to eradicate the hemorrhoid symptoms with minimal postoperative pain and complications.
Evidence Acquisition: In this review, data base of PubMed, and MEDLINE were searched with time limitation(2002- 2012). Recent articles in English journals were reviewed to evaluate and compare these minimally invasive procedures including Rubber band ligation (RBL), Infrared coagulation (IRC), Direct current Electrotherapy (DCE), and Sclerotherapy.
Results: Upon the articles, 881 were treated with RBL, 454 with IRC, 1203 with DCE, and 2372 with sclerotherapy. Postoperative pain, which is a common complication of hemorrhoidectomy, was 3-25% in RBL, 2.13-4.3% in DCE, and 1.8-7% in sclerotherapy. Pain was mild to moderate and rarely needed analgesic. Postoperative rectal bleeding was seen in 1.26-32.4% of patients treated with RBL. Recurrence of preoperative symptoms was 1.9-39% for RBL, 6.9-21% for sclerotherapy, and 2.9-3% for DCE. Postoperative complications were minor in all procedures and for sclerotherapy it was seen in 6.9-21% of patients. Success rate was 69.4-96.4% in RBL, 80% in IRC, 89.3-99.7% in sclerotherapy, and 98.2% in DCE. Patient’s satisfaction was 98% for DCE versus 99% for RBL and IRC. Operation time for each tag of hemorrhoid was 4.5-10 minutes for DCE, regarding different amplitudes of currency and degrees of hemorrhoid, and 13 minutes for sclerotherapy and not reported for other methods.
Conclusions: Minimally invasive procedures are used depending on surgeon’s experience and preference. These modalities are comparable from different aspects. The cost of treatment and availability of equipment may affect the
