Preliminary Results of the First 50 Patients Undergoing Sclerotherapy for II-Degree Hemorrhoidal Disease Using an Automated Device

Marta Goglia; Casimiro Nigro; Paolo Aurello; Elia Diaco; Mario Trompetto; Gaetano Gallo

doi:10.3389/fsurg.2022.882030

Preliminary Results of the First 50 Patients Undergoing Sclerotherapy for II-Degree Hemorrhoidal Disease Using an Automated Device

Front Surg. 2022 Apr 14:9:882030. doi: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.882030. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Marta Goglia¹, Casimiro Nigro², Paolo Aurello¹, Elia Diaco³, Mario Trompetto⁴, Gaetano Gallo⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
² Department of General Surgery, University of Rome "Tor Vergata, " Rome, Italy.
³ Minerva Surgical Service, Catanzaro, Italy.
⁴ Department of Colorectal Surgery, S. Rita Clinic, Vercelli, Italy.
⁵ Unit of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.

Abstract

Background: Sclerotherapy is defined as the injection of sclerosant agents causing fibrosis and scarring of the surrounding tissue. It is currently employed for the treatment of I-III degree hemorrhoidal disease (HD). The aim of this study is to investigate the use of a new automated device for the injection of 3% polidocanol foam.

Methods: This is an observational study including 50 patients who underwent a sclerotherapy procedure with 3% polidocanol foam for II-degree HD according to Goligher classification. Patients were evaluated through validated scores [Giamundo score, Hemorrhoidal Disease Symptom Score (HDSS), Short Health Scale (SHS-HD) and Vaizey score]. Follow-up was conducted until 3 months from the procedure.

Results: Complete resolution of bleeding was achieved in 72% and 78% of patients, respectively, at 1 week and after 3 months from the procedure. Forty eight percent of patients were symptom free after the last follow-up visit (HDSS = 0). No major surgical complications were reported. Three patients out of 36 successfully treated, recurred, and needed a second sclerotherapy injection, which was successful in 2 of them.

Conclusion: These preliminary results of 3% polidocanol foam injection on 50 patients suggest the efficacy and reproducibility of the technique with this new device in the short-term follow-up.

Keywords: 3% polidocanol foam; bleeding haemorrhoids; hemorrhoidal disease; sclerotherapy; symptomatic haemorrhoids.