Eight-year experience in treatment of hemorrhoidal disease

During an eight-year period 887 patients with symptoms of hemorrhoids were treated at the Department of Surgery and Outpatient Care of the Vaszary Kolos County Hospital, Esztergom. 178 patients with first degree hemorrhoids received only conservative treatment. Rubber band ligation (RBL) which can be performed on outpatients was applied in 324 patients with first, second and third degree hemorrhoids. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids were treated by excision in 215 patients. Hemorrhoidectomy (H) was mainly carried out in 91 cases for treatment of circular 3rd and 4th degree nodules involving complications. More than 80 per cent of the patients receiving rubber band ligation and hemorrhoidectomy were followed up. 65% of the RBL group and 85% of the H group were symptom free, while 76% of the RBL group and 91% of the H group showed great improvement after the treatment. Personal results, complications, and review of the literature are discussed in detail.