Prospective study comparing the new sclerotherapy and hemorrhoidectomy in terms of therapeutic outcomes at 4 years after the treatment.

Purpose: Recently, sclerotherapy using a new sclerosing agent (aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid) has become widespread in Japan as a treatment for hemorrhoids. In the present study, we investigated whether sclerotherapy or surgical therapy (hemorrhoidectomy) is superior in terms of the therapeutic outcomes at 4 years.

Methods: We sent a questionnaire on symptoms and the degree of satisfaction to patients who underwent sclerotherapy or hemorrhoidectomy for grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids in 2007, and compared the two therapies based on the responses, with respect to superiority of the therapeutic outcomes at 4 years.

Outcomes of case-matched injection sclerotherapy with a new agent for hemorrhoids in patients treated with or without blood thinners.

Purpose: In Japan, a new type of sclerotherapy termed ALTA (aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid) injection therapy has recently been introduced. The objectives of this study were to determine whether the presence or absence of antithrombotic treatment (AT) affected the efficacy rate or the occurrence of complications associated with ALTA injection sclerotherapy.

Methods: This study was a case-matched study of 37 patients who underwent ALTA therapy to treat hemorrhoids between 2007 and 2009.

Prognostic factors for recurrence following the initial drainage of an anorectal abscess.

Purpose: It is well known that recurrent abscesses and anal fistulas may develop following incision and drainage. In this study, the prognostic factors for recurrence of anorectal abscess were retrospectively examined following initial drainage.

Methods: Between November 2003 and April 2008, 205 patients with a diagnosis of anorectal abscess underwent initial incision and drainage at our hospital.

The outcome of postoperative hemorrhaging following a hemorrhoidectomy.

Purpose: Postoperative hemorrhage (PH) is rare, but it is widely recognized as a postoperative complication of a hemorrhoidectomy. The assessment of this complication may provide information which can be used to improve the clinical outcome of a patient who has undergone a hemorrhoidectomy.

Methods: Between January 2006 and December 2007, a total of 1294 patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids underwent a hemorrhoidectomy at our hospital.