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Autonomic dysreflexia resulting from prolapsed hemorrhoids. Report of a case
R L Hawkins1, H R Bailey, W H Donnovan
1Department of Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.
Purpose:
This article reports a case of autonomic dysreflexia associated with hemorrhoidal disease in a patient with high spinal cord lesions and successful treatment by surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
Methods:
Following an unsuccessful attempt at conservative treatment which included bulk agents and warm compresses, the patient subsequently underwent three-column, closed surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
Results:
The patient was symptom free and had normal bowel activity six weeks postoperatively, and five-year follow-up showed no recurrence of the hemorrhoidal prolapse or dysreflexia.
Conclusion:
Carefully controlled hemorrhoidectomy, when conservative measures fail, may be effective in managing autonomic dysreflexia in high spinal cord transection patients when prolapse serves as the stimulus.