Burger J W A Pim, Eddes Erik Hans, Gerhards Michael F, Doornebosch Pascal G, de Graaf Eelco J R
IJsselland Ziekenhuis, Capelle aan den IJssel, Afd. Heelkunde, The Netherlands.
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2010;154:A787.
Haemorrhoids occur in approximately 30% of the population. Commonly occurring complaints include blood loss, pruritus, hygiene problems and soiling. A high-fibre diet, with dietary-fiber supplementation if required, often resolves the symptoms. When symptoms are not resolved, the next step is rubber band ligation: a safe and easy procedure. In the long term, the result of rubber band ligation is often unsatisfactory. Haemorrhoidectomy was formerly the only alternative. Haemorrhoidectomy can be accompanied by serious complications, such as disabling pain and incontinence. Haemorrhoidectomy was therefore considered obsolete by the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) guideline of 1994. Today new operative procedures are available: Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL) and stapled anopexy. Both techniques are safe and yield good results. Moreover, these techniques cause little postoperative pain. DG-HAL and stapled anopexy offer an alternative for patients whose symptoms are not resolved by dietary-fiber supplementation and rubber band ligation.
