[Hemorrhoids--diagnosis and treatment options]

Hemorrhoids are a common condition in adult population with prevalence of about 4%. Only a third of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids seek medical help. The annual rate of office visits for hemorrhoids is 12 for every 1000 patients in the United States. Hemorrhoids consist of connective tissue cushions surrounding direct arteriovenous communication. They can cause bleeding, pain and itching but other anorectal diseases should be ruled out. Current guidelines recommend a minimum of anoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy for bright-red rectal bleeding. Care depends on the extent of hemorroids. First-degree hemorrhoids can be managed with medical treatment. Surgery is reserved for patients with third and fourth-degree hemorrhoids and failure of nonoperative treatment. A new method of the stapled hemorrhoidectomy has been introduced which significantly reduces postoperative pain, hospital stay and use of analgesics with results that are equal to excisional hemorrhoidectomy.