Hepatic abscesses complicating injection sclerotherapy of haemorrhoids

We report the case of a 50-year-old man who developed a febrile illness four days after injection sclerotherapy of his haemorrhoids. The patient increasingly became unwell and was eventually found to have multiple hepatic abscesses. He made a complete recovery with antibiotic therapy. The importance of educating both patients and doctors about this complication is emphasized.     

A randomised trial to compare the results of injection sclerotherapy with a bulk laxative alone in the treatment of bleeding haemorrhoids

In a prospective randomised trial, 43 patients with bleeding haemorrhoids were allocated to receive either a bulk laxative with injection of phenol (5%) in arachis oil (20 patients) (Group 1), or a bulk laxative alone (23 patients) (Group 2). Treatment was given by one author and patients were assessed blind by the other at 6 weeks, 3 months and finally at 6 months. At 6 weeks 12 (48%) in Group 1 and 12 (57%) in Group 2 were still bleeding (NS; ²= 0.54). At 3 months 10 (40%) in group 1 and 6 (35%) in group 2 (NS; ²=0.10), and at 6 months 10 (43%) in group 1 and 7 (47%) in group 2 were still bleeding (NS; ²=0.04). No significant difference in bleeding at 6 months after either injection sclerotherapy with bulk laxative or bulk laxatives alone was found.     

Prospective randomised clinical trial of single versus double purse-string stapled mucosectomy in the treatment of prolapsed haemorrhoids

Background and aims Despite the excellent results published on circular stapled mucosectomy (CSM), there is still some concern about the application of PPH-33 in the advanced haemorrhoidal disease, where a major prolapse may lead to insufficient resection and ensuing early recurrence. This study is aimed at comparing the outcomes after single purse-string CSM versus double purse-string CSM.Patients and methods A prospective randomised clinical trial of single versus double purse-string CSM for grade III–IV symptomatic haemorrhoids was used. One hundred consecutive patients were randomised to single (group 1, N=50) versus double purse-string CSM (group 2, N=50).Results The mean age was 50.7 years, with a predominance of males (63 vs. 37). Haemorrhoids were classified as grade III in 59% and grade IV in 41% of the patients. Mean follow-up was 26 months. Demographic and clinical features showed no differences between the two groups. The size of the resected doughnut was greater in group 2 (4.95 vs. 3.55 cm; p<0.05), as was the distance of the suture from the dentate line (3.56 vs. 3.16 cm; p<0.05). Early postoperative pain was significantly less in group 2 (linear analogue scale from 0 to 10), 2.08 vs. 3.56 (p<0.001). Postoperative haemorrhage was absent or minimal in 79% of patients. Three patients from group 1 reported persistent pain that was resolved within the first few postoperative months. There were two recurrences in group 1.Conclusion Double purse-string CSM resects a greater doughnut, increases the distance of the staple suture from the dentate line and reduces early postoperative pain in comparison to single purse-string CSM. Larger series are necessary to assert whether recurrence is lower.     

A prospective randomised comparative study of endoscopic band ligation versus injection sclerotherapy of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis

Background and study aimsBleeding internal haemorrhoids are common and used to be treated surgically with too many complications. Endoscopic therapy is trying to take the lead. Sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation are the candidates to replace surgical therapy especially in patients with liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) to endoscopic rubber band ligation (EBL) regarding effectiveness and complications in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis.Patients and methodsOne hundred and twenty adult patients with liver cirrhosis and bleeding internal haemorrhoids were randomised into two equal groups; the first treated with EBL using Saeed multiband ligator, and the second with EIS using either ethanolamine oleate 5% or N-butyl cyanoacrylate. All groups were matched as regards age, sex, Child score and pre-procedure Doppler values. Patients were followed up clinically and with abdominal ultrasound/Doppler for 6 months. Endoscopic and endosonography/Doppler was done before and one month after the procedure. Pre and post-procedure data were recorded and analysed.ResultsBoth techniques were highly effective in the control of bleeding from internal haemorrhoids with a low rebleeding [10% in the EBL group and 13.33% in the EIS group] and recurrence [20% in the EBL group 20% in the EIS group] rates. Child score had a positive correlation with rebleeding and recurrence in EIS group only.Pain score and need for analgesia were significantly higher while patient satisfaction was significantly lower in EIS compared to EBL [p < 0.05]. No significant difference between ethanolamine and cyanoacrylate subgroups was found [p > 0.05].ConclusionsBoth EBL and EIS were effective in the treatment of bleeding internal haemorrhoids in patients with liver cirrhosis. EBL had significantly less pain and higher patient satisfaction than EIS. EBL was also safer in patients with advanced cirrhosis.     

A prospective study of infrared coagulation,injection and rubber band ligation in the treatment of haemorrhoids

One hundred patients with non-prolapsing and one hundred with prolapsing haemorrhoids were allocated to receive conventional treatment (CT) by injection sclerotherapy or rubber band ligation, or infrared photocoagulation (IRC). Significantly more patients with nonprolapsing haemorrhoids were symptom free after IRC (81%) than CT (59%) at three months. (Chi²=4.4, p=0.05). There was no significant difference in the outcome at 1 or 4 years. Likewise for prolapsing haemorrhoids, there was no significant difference in the outcome of IRC or CT at 3 months, one or 4 years. However, recurrence of prolapse was more common after IRC (54%) than rubber band ligation (RBL) (27%) at 1 year (Chi²=3.46, p<0.1). IRC was significantly less painful than CT (p<0.001). IRC is a safe, rapid, non-invasive alternative to CT, which is acceptable to the patient and give similar results, though RBL provides more rapid and longer lasting relief from prolapse.     

Changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis following endoscopic injection sclerotherapy

Changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were investigated in twenty seven patients with esophageal varices, who underwent endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with 5% ethanolamine oleate with meglumine amidotrioate (EOMA), 1% Aethoxyskererol (AS) and pure ethanol. Changes in platelet aggregation between before and just after EIS were also investigated. Results obtained were as follows. 1) Remarkable changes in blood coagulation and fibrinolysis were observed in twenty patients, who underwent EIS by intravariceal injection combined with paravariceal injection. The patients showed significant change in factor XIa-alpha 1 antitrypsin complex as a result of destruction of the endothelium of varices, caused by the sclerosants. On the other hand, no significant changes were observed in seven patients, treated by paravariceal injection alone. 2) These changes were different from those observed in DIC because they were transient without bleeding tendency or multiple organ failures. 3) Paravariceal injection was suitable for EIS in the patients with very poor liver function. 4) Platelet aggregation was not elevated by EIS.     

Simultaneous, combined sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids

We present the results of combined, simultaneous application of sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation during one session in patients with symptomatic second-degree haemorrhoids. Between 1993 and 1996, 83 consecutive outpatients with second-degree haemorrhoids underwent simultaneous rubber band ligation of larger (primary) piles and sclerotherapy of smaller (secondary) piles. The treatment was successful, and the symptoms were controlled in 88% of the patients. The overall incidence of complications was 9.2%, but these were minor and transient. The simultaneous, combined sclerotherapy and rubber band ligation of second-degree haemorrhoids is a simple, safe, and effective method, with only minor and transient complications. Received: 2 December 1998 / Accepted in revised form: 3 March 1999     

Endoscopic treatment for bleeding peptic ulcers: randomised comparison of adrenaline injection and adrenaline injection + Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation.

Forty two patients with haemorrhage from peptic ulcers with visible vessels were enrolled in a randomised study comparing endoscopic haemostasis with adrenaline (1:10,000) injections (adrenaline group) and adrenaline injection + neodymium yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser photocoagulation (adrenaline + laser group). The two groups (21 patients each) were well matched for factors affecting outcome. Surgery was performed for continued haemorrhage uncontrolled by endoscopic treatment or rebleeding after two endoscopic treatments. Haemostasis after one treatment was similar in the two groups: adrenaline 16/21 (76%), adrenaline + laser 18/21 (86%). Haemostasis after two treatments was numerically (0.05 less than p less than 0.10) greater in the adrenaline + laser group: 21/21 (100%) v 18/21 (86%). Three patients (14%) in the adrenaline group underwent uneventful emergency surgery. There were no deaths or procedure related complications in either group. Most bleeds from peptic ulcers with visible vessels can be controlled endoscopically without the need for surgery. Both treatments in this study proved highly efficacious in securing haemostasis. Adrenaline injection treatment seems to be the treatment of choice in view of its simplicity, low cost, and availability. Additional Nd:YAG laser treatment may provide a marginal improvement in efficacy, although a much larger trial would be required to prove this.     

A multicentre randomised trial comparing octreotide and injection sclerotherapy in the management and outcome of acute variceal haemorrhage

Background—Few studies have compared vasoactivedrugs with endoscopic sclerotherapy in the control of acute varicealhaemorrhage. Octreotide is widely used for this purpose, but its valueremains undetermined.
Aims—To compare octreotide with endoscopicsclerotherapy for acute variceal haemorrhage.
Patients—Consecutive patients with acute variceal haemorrhage.
Methods—Patients were randomised at endoscopy toreceive either a 48 hour intravenous infusion of 50 µg/h octreotide(n=73), or emergency sclerotherapy (n=77).
Results—Overall control of bleeding and mortalitywas not significantly different between octreotide (85%, 62 patients)and sclerotherapy (82%, 63 patients) over the 48 hour trial period (relative risk of rebleeding 0.83; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38 to 1.82), irrespective of Child's grading or active bleeding atendoscopy. One major complication was observed in the sclerotherapy group (aspiration) and two in the octreotide group (pulmonary oedema,severe paralytic ileus). During 60 days of follow up there was anoverall trend towards an increased mortality in the octreotide groupwhich was not statistically significant (relative risk of dying at 60 days 1.91, 95% CI 0.97 to 3.78, p=0.06).
Conclusions—The results of this study indicatethat intravenous octreotide is as effective as injection sclerotherapyin the control of acute variceal bleeding, but further controlledtrials are necessary to evaluate the safety of this treatment.

Keywords:variceal haemorrhage; octreotide; injectionsclerotherapy

     

A randomized trial of photocoagulation or injection sclerotherapy for the treatment of first- and second-degree hemorrhoids

One hundred thirty-five patients with a diagnosis of hemorrhoids were randomized to receive either photocoagulation (P) (N=73) or injection sclerotherapy with phenol (I) (N=62). Each patient was assessed at one, four, and 12-month intervals after treatment. At one, four, and 12 months, there was no clinical difference between the groups; at 12 months, however, the proportion of patients who were symptomatically improved or asymptomatic was 59 percent after photocoagulation compared with 50 percent of those treated by injection (P=73 percent; I=50 percent). Seven patients treated by photocoagulation required repeated therapy compared with only one after injection (P<0.02). Additional therapy was used in eight patients after photocoagulation, as compared with three after injection. The operation rate for each group, however, was similar. There were no complications of therapy. Photocoagulation is an easy, non-invasive, safe method of treatment, giving results that are comparable to treatment by injection sclerotherapy.     

Evaluation of endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with and without simultaneous ligation for the treatment of esophageal varices

For more effective and simple endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) for esophageal varices, we developed an EIS procedure with ligation (EISL) that is non-invasive, in which EIS and endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) are performed simultaneously. In this study, we compared EISL and EIS in a randomlized sample of patients (n = 14 for each procedure). For EISL, EVL was performed, including the injection site, after the injection of 5% ethanolamine oleate with iopamidol (EOI) into a varix. The mean number of treatment sessions required for eradication of esophageal varices was 2.3 ± 0.5 for EISL and 3.9 ± 0.8 for EIS (P < 0.001); the mean number of treatment sites was 6.2 ± 2.2 for EISL and 14.0 ± 5.0 for EIS (P < 0.001); the mean total amount of EOI used was 13.8 ± 5.2 ml for EISL and 26.3 ± 9.8 ml for EIS (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of recurrence of varices or in bleeding between the two groups. For EISL, fewer treatment sessions and less sclerosant were sufficient, probably because the sclerosants were more effective due to the blockage of variceal blood flow by the ligation. This method should provide a novel modification of EIS. (Received Mar. 30, 1998; accepted Sept. 25, 1998)     

Injection sclerotherapy for oesophageal varices: a prospective randomised trial of different treatment schedules.

A prospective randomised study to compare the efficacy and complications of injection sclerotherapy carried out at intervals of one week and three weeks up to the time obliteration of varices was achieved, was undertaken in 55 patients (48 cirrhosis, six portal vein thrombosis, one nodular regenerative hyperplasia). The number of courses of injection required for obliteration of the varices was not different in the two groups and despite a shorter time scale for obliteration in the weekly treated patients the frequency with which further episodes of bleeding occurred before that was not significantly less. Mucosal ulceration during the period required for obliteration was observed at endoscopy more frequently in the weekly treated patients but was not associated with a greater frequency of postinjection pain, dysphagia or of long term stricture formation.     

A randomized controlled trial of rubber band ligation versus infra-red coagulation in the treatment of internal haemorrhoids

OBJECTIVE: Despite the presence of numerous non-surgical therapies for the treatment of haemorrhoids, none of these therapies has clearly been proven to be superior. The effectiveness and patient tolerance of rubber band ligation (RBL) and infra-red coagulation (IRC) in the treatment of haemorrhoids was assessed. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SETTING: Academic hospital (tertiary care). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 133 consecutive patients (73 males, 60 females, mean age 48 years (range 19-82)) with internal haemorrhoids, and without concomitant anorectal disease, were randomized to rubber band ligation (RBL, n = 65) or infra-red coagulation (IRC, n = 68). INTERVENTIONS: Rubber band ligation or infra-red coagulation was performed in one or more sessions with four-week intervals until symptoms had resolved. Treatment outcome and side-effects were assessed after each treatment session and one month after the last treatment by proctological examination and a questionnaire, including a pain score (visual analogue scale from 0 to 10). Recurrence of complaints was assessed by telephone questionnaire [mean follow-up of 19.2 months (SD 7.8)]. RESULTS: Treatment outcome was assessed in 124 patients (60 RBL, 64 IRC). The mean number of treatment sessions was 1.6 (SD 0.9) for both therapies. For RBL, 58 patients (97%), and for IRC, 59 patients (92%) were symptom-free or had satisfactorily improved. Only third-degree haemorrhoids seemed to respond better to RBL (five of five patients symptom-free) than to IRC (two of four patients symptom-free). Pain following treatment was more common and more severe after RBL (VAS 5.5 +/- 3.7) than after IRC (VAS 3.3 +/- 3.3, P= 0.018). The telephone questionnaire was answered by 105 patients. Nine of 50 patients (18%) treated with RBL and 11 of 55 patients (20%, P= 0.81) treated with IRC had experienced symptomatic relapse to pre-treatment levels. CONCLUSIONS: Infra-red coagulation and rubber band ligation are equally effective in the treatment of haemorrhoids. The rate and severity of pain is higher after rubber band ligation. Infra-red coagulation should be the first-line treatment for haemorrhoids.     

The value of the endoscopic therapies in the treatment of rectal varices: a retrospective comparison between injection sclerotherapy and band ligation.

This study consisted of 15 patients who had undergone endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) or endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) for rectal varices. Ten of fifteen patients had histories of anal bleeding, and colonoscopy revealed signs of the risk of variceal rupture in the other five patients. EIS was perfomed in six of the fifteen patients, and the other nine patients underwent EVL. EIS was performed weekly from 2 to 4 times (mean, 3.0), and the total amount of sclerosant ranged from 3.2 to 5.8ml (mean, 4.9ml). After EIS, colonoscopy revealed shrinkage of the rectal varices in all six patients with no complications. EVL was performed weekly from 1 to 3 times (mean, 2.2), and bands were placed on the varices at 2-12 sites (mean, 8.0). After EVL, colonoscopy revealed both ulcers and shrinkage of the varices in the rectum in all nine patients. Eight of the nine experienced no operative complications. However, in the other case, colonoscopy revealed bleeding from ulcers after EVL. The average follow-up period after EIS or EVL was 30 months. The overall non-recurrence rate of rectal varices was 11 of 15 (73.3%); this includes five of the six patients (83.3%) receiving EIS and six of the nine who received EVL (66.7%). The non-recurrence rate was no difference between EIS group and EVL group statistically (P=0.57) by reason of small number of cases. In conclusion, EIS is some superior to EVL with regard to long-term effectiveness, complications on rectal varices.