Topical Treatment with Bergamot Flavonoid-Based Gel in Post-Surgical Wounds after Hemorrhoidectomy: Preliminary Results

Background: Haemorrhoidal Disease (HD) is a very diffuse anorectal condition that involves a large part of the population, both male and female of every age. Among the several procedures proposed to treat HD, conventional excisional surgery remains one of the most performed, it is characterized by important post-operative pain whose historical knowledge often scare the patients. The pain is mainly related to the anal wounds and the healing speed surely influence the post-operative course. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of using Benebeo Gel® on post-operative wound healing after open haemorrhoidectomy. Methods and Results: This was an observational prospective study conducted in the Proctological and Pelvic Floor Clinical Centre (PPFCC) of the University Hospital of Pisa. From April 2019 to January 2020 all the 175 patients aged between 18 and 75 undergone to open hemorrhoidectomy were enrolled. The post-operative follow-up was scheduled as follows: 7 day, 15 day, 22 days and 30 days after surgery. The primary end point was: time taken to get complete wound healing with a re-epithelized tissue. Secondary endpoints were: evaluate post-operative pain using VAS scale, bleeding, discharge and overall patients satisfaction about the procedure and the topical gel. All the patients were instructed to take topical gel by using the cannula provided with the product put it into the finger phalanx and then upon injured area twice a day (once in the morning after defecation and once before sleeping) for 25 days after. The administration of the product begins in 4th post-operative day. The mean post-operative pain at 7 days was 6±2, at 15 days 4±1 at 22 day 3 and at 30 days was 2±1. The mean time to get complete wound healing was 23±4 days. Conclusions: He present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new topical gel mainly composed by bergamot-derived flavonoids and hyaluronic acid in patients treated with excisional hemorrhoidectomy. The results after 2 weeks of treatment seems to be promising with a very good clinical outcome and patient satisfaction within 1 month.

Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy of Hydrocortisone Suppository and Durvadi gudavarti in Raktarsha: A Management Protocol

The most common diagnosis for any anorectal complaint particularly of rectal bleeding in adults is haemorrhoidal disease. Regardless of grading conservative treatment is used primarily in symptomatic haemorrhoids. In Ayurveda, Sthanik Chikitsa (Local application) in the management of Arsha (Hemorrhoids) includes pralepa/pratisaran (Paste application). Instead of applying the lepa in the clinics by the clinician/proctologist, those formulations could be developed into Gudavarti (traditional suppository) & used in the management of Raktarsha (bleeding piles) for better compliance. Hence, development of ‘Durvadi Gudavarti’ using the indigenous medicinal herbs mentioned in Charaka Sanhita (Classical Ayurveda text) for pratisaran/pralepa in Raktarsha & its efficacy will be evaluated. Objectives: To study & compare the efficacy in patient treated with standard- Hydrocortisone suppository group & interventional- Durvadi Gudavarti group in the management of Raktarsha (Bleeding piles). Methodology: 130 patients of 2nd grade hemorrhoids will be selected and will be allocated into two equal groups by computer randomization. Experimental group will be treated with Durvadi Gudavarti & control group with Hydrocortisone based suppository for 2 weeks. Following Symptoms- PR Bleeding, Anal Pain, Prolapse of Pile mass/Lump, Anal pruritus, Mucous discharge & Constipation will be assessed subjectively and Size/ (Volume in cubic millimeter) of pile mass will be the objective parameter for study. Clinical evaluation will be done at Baseline and 3rd, 5th, 10th, 15th day after treatment onset. Proportion of patients that would respond clinically on 10th day will be the main end point, determined via disappearance of the clinical symptoms & more than or equal to 50 % reduction in the initial size of pile mass/lump. Time to response & need for any oral/ parenteral medication for pain, bleeding and constipation would be the secondary variables. Side effects (type, duration & severity) will be registered carefully. Expected Results: Durvadi Gudavarti contains indigenous herbs having anti-inflammatory, analgesic, haemostatic, wound healing, astringent, & laxative properties. Hence, it is expected to be as efficacious as Hydrocortisone suppository with lesser side effect in the management of Raktarsha. Results will be assessed on the basis of clinical assessment criteria using proper statistical values and tools. Changes will be observed in objective outcomes. Conclusion: Durvadi Gudavarti will be efficacious in the management of Raktarsha.

Evaluation of post-operative complications after Milligan- Morgan haemorrhoidectomy versus Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy techniques

Background Haemorrhoidal disease is one of the oldest illnesses known to mankind. It leads to significant pain, discomfort and poor quality of life. It is one of the common diseases which affect mankind but it is difficult to give an accurate figure of the prevalence because although many patients present with symptoms, many do not and some never bring it to notice of clinicians. The word hemorrhoids means flow of blood, the word pile means a ball, indicating two cardinal symptoms of this disease; bleeding per rectum and mass per anus. Aim of the work Aim of the work is to detect and compare the post-operative complications (Pain, Bleeding and anal stenosis) after 2 of the most commonly used techniques for management of the clinically diagnosed third and fourth stage hemorrhoids: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy and stapler hemorrhoidopexy. Patient and Methods After obtaining approval from The College Ethical Committee, the study entitled "Evaluation of Postoperative Complications after Open MM Hemorrhidectomy versus Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy" was conducted on a total of 30 patients with hemorrhoids undergoing either conventional hemorrhoidectomy by Milligan Morgan (MM) technique or stapler hemorrhoidopexy. The patients were selected randomly after fulfilling the inclusion criteria in the department of general surgery, Ain Shams University hospitals over a period of 4 months starting from 1 August 2019 to 1 December 2019. Patients were admitted via surgical outpatient clinic. Patients were randomly distributed to 2 groups (A & B), each group containing 15 patients. Results A total of 30 patients who underwent either conventional hemorrhoidectomy (CH) or stapler hemorrhoidopexy (SH) in The Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University included in this study for 4 months started from 1/8/2019 and ended in 1/12/2019 and the following results are obtained. Conclusion Haemorrhoidal disease is considered as one of the commonest ano-rectal diseases. Non-surgical measures whatever drug therapy or office procedures, can be presented to the patients with stage 1 and stage 2 haemorrhoids. However, when these measures fail, surgical intervention must be thought for the patients with stage 3 and stage 4 haemorrhoids. Surgical intervention should be tailored to each patient in accordance to the seriousness of symptoms, the magnitude of the external anorectal element and the presence of any concurrent ano-rectal morbidity. At present, there are many surgical interventions obtainable for treatment of prolapsing piles disease and most of them yielding acceptable success rates. Conventional Haemorrhoidectomy (CH) whatever open (Milligan Morgan) or closed (Ferguson) is considered the gold standard for surgical intervention of piles but due to the severe associated post-operative pain, especially with defecation, Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy (SH) seems to present shorter operative time, less post-operative pain, less bleeding and anal stricture and also less time off work in comparison with CH. Although rare but horrible complications have been noted with SH, which dictate that SH should be performed only by experienced surgeons. Eventually we strongly recommend the use of stapler devices for haemorrhoidectomy when and where possible especially for high grade and prolapsing haemorrhoids although more research and study should be made in this concern for more confirmation of our results due to decreased specimen size and short post-operative follow up period in our study.

Haemorrhoidal artery ligation with and without Doppler guidance in the treatment of haemorrhoidal disease: a single-centre randomized study

Aim. To evaluate the efficacy of haemorrhoidal artery ligation (HA) with a preliminary palpatory determination of its localization supplemented by mucopexy of haemorrhoids as a new surgical method in the treatment of haemorrhoidal disease (HD) and to compare it with HAL-RAR technology.Materials and methods. The randomized controlled clinical trial included patients over 18 years old with Goligher’s grade II, III or IV symptomatic HD. We operated on patients in the study group (n = 75) using palpatory determination of the localization of HA and subsequent mucopexia. In the control group (n = 75) we used HAL-RAR. The primary endpoint (25–30 days after surgery): recurrence rate of HD symptoms. Secondary endpoints: postoperative complication rate, pain intensity on a visual-analogue scale from 1 to 10 points, patient satisfaction with the treatment results on a 10-point scale.Results. According to the initial characteristics (age, gender, body mass index, stage of HD, frequency of clinical symptoms), the groups did not differ. Anal bleeding relapse developed: study group – 11%, control group –14%; relapse of haemorrhoids prolapse: 3% and 5% respectively (p > 0.05). Postoperative complications were noted in 6 (8%) in the study group and 4 (5%) in the control group (p > 0.05). The intensity of pain on the 2nd and 25–30 days after surgery was 6.3 [4.8; 7.4] and 1.2 [0.6; 2.5] points in the study group and 6.5 [4.9; 7.3] and 2.1 [1.9; 4.1] in the control group, respectively (p > 0.05). Patient satisfaction with the treatment results after 12 months was estimated at 8.7 [7.9; 9.2] and 9.4 [8.2; 9.6] in the study and control groups, respectively (p > 0.05).Conclusion. HA ligation with a preliminary palpatory determination of its localization and supplemented with mucopexy of haemorrhoids is no less effective than HAL-RAR in preventing haemorrhoidal bleeding and prolapse of the nodes.

Making Use of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Haemorrhoidal Disease in Clinical Practice: A Perspective

Haemorrhoidal disease (HD) affects millions of people around the world and for most it is a recurring problem. Increasingly, clinicians broaden their focus on the patient's experiences with haemorrhoidal symptoms, including their impact on daily life. The patient's experience can be assessed using a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). A PROM facilitates a deeper understanding of the disease-burden and allows a clinician to obtain information directly from the patients about their experiences with the ailment. Over the last years, PROMs have shown their additional role to traditional outcomes for several diseases and have earned their place in the daily consultation room. In order to improve and personalize the treatment of HD, we endorse the use of validated PROMs in clinical care.

Life-Threatening Abdominal Bleed after DGHAL – A Case Report

Doppler guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation with recto-anal repair (DGHAL RAR) has been reported to be an effective, reliable and safe procedure for symptomatic haemorrhoidal disease with less postoperative pain and hence, good patient acceptance [1]. The reported complications are minor and include recurrence of anal bleed, prolapse, anal fissure, tenesmus to name few [2]. We report a case of life threatening intra-abdominal bleed following DGHAL RAR.

Genome-wide analysis of 944 133 individuals provides insights into the etiology of haemorrhoidal disease

ObjectiveHaemorrhoidal disease (HEM) affects a large and silently suffering fraction of the population but its aetiology, including suspected genetic predisposition, is poorly understood. We report the first genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis to identify genetic risk factors for HEM to date.DesignWe conducted a GWAS meta-analysis of 218 920 patients with HEM and 725 213 controls of European ancestry. Using GWAS summary statistics, we performed multiple genetic correlation analyses between HEM and other traits as well as calculated HEM polygenic risk scores (PRS) and evaluated their translational potential in independent datasets. Using functional annotation of GWAS results, we identified HEM candidate genes, which differential expression and coexpression in HEM tissues were evaluated employing RNA-seq analyses. The localisation of expressed proteins at selected loci was investigated by immunohistochemistry.ResultsWe demonstrate modest heritability and genetic correlation of HEM with several other diseases from the GI, neuroaffective and cardiovascular domains. HEM PRS validated in 180 435 individuals from independent datasets allowed the identification of those at risk and correlated with younger age of onset and recurrent surgery. We identified 102 independent HEM risk loci harbouring genes whose expression is enriched in blood vessels and GI tissues, and in pathways associated with smooth muscles, epithelial and endothelial development and morphogenesis. Network transcriptomic analyses highlighted HEM gene coexpression modules that are relevant to the development and integrity of the musculoskeletal and epidermal systems, and the organisation of the extracellular matrix.ConclusionHEM has a genetic component that predisposes to smooth muscle, epithelial and connective tissue dysfunction.

Ambulatory Surgery for Perianal Disease

The gold standard in the diagnosis and treatment of proctological diseases is the exploration of the anal canal and distal rectum under anaesthesia (EUA), routinely performed as day case surgery. In selected cases it can be conducted as an outpatient exploration (OE) during a specialist surgical consultation. In the outpatient setting it is possible and safe to perform rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy and infrared coagulation for the treatment of haemorrhoidal disease, excision and incision of thrombosed external haemorrhoids, abscess drainage, setonage and fistulotomy also in case of perianal Crohn’s disease, anal warts and skin tags removal. In terms of patients’ satisfaction and success rate OE is comparable to EUA. All procedures can be performed under local anaesthesia. Pain control after the procedure is provided by oral pain killers.