[New "PATE 2006" system for classifying hemorrhoidal disease: advantages resulting from revision of "PATE 2000 Sorrento"]

In 2000 the Italian Society of Coloproctology introduced a novel system for classifying hemorrhoidal disease, PATE 2000 Sorrento, capable of assuring a better knowledge of such pathology. After several studies had established the efficacy of this classification system in comparison to anatomical criteria such as the size and dislocation of hemorrhoids in the anal canal, the need was felt to correct the limits of PATE 2000 Sorrento. Important parameters in assessing the severity of hemorrhoidal disease, such as numerical scores, symptom severity analysis and quality of life analyses, were introduced in PATE 2006 classification. The authors then tested the PATE 2006 on 500 patients with hemorrhoidal disease over a period of two years, referred to 4 different centres. The numerical scores of the PATE 2000 Sorrento factors, quality of life and the severity of symptoms introduced with this classification proved to be important parameters for evaluating hemorrhoids. In conclusions, PATE 2006 seems to be an improvement over the PATE 2000 Sorrento classification system in terms of its efficacy in establishing the more appropriate treatment for each patients with hemorrhoid disease.