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Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the outcomes of patients whose complex anal fistulas were managed by ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract reinforced with a bioprosthetic graft (BioLIFT procedure)., Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed of all patients whose anal fistula was managed by use of the BioLIFT technique between May 2005 and May 2008, who had a minimum of 1 year of follow-up after their last treatment., Results: The BioLIFT technique using a bioprosthetic graft was used to treat a complex anal fistula in 31 patients (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 48 y (range, 30-68 y). Clinical healing of the fistula, defined as the absence of drainage with no evidence of residual fistula tract, occurred in 29 (94%) patients. No complications occurred that required intervention., Conclusions: The BioLIFT procedure is effective for the management of complex fistulas-in-ano. Randomized clinical trials comparing this technique with other sphincter-preserving methods for fistula management need to be performed to further determine the role of this technique in the management of anal fistulas.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the outcome of LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy for prolapsed hemorrhoids., Methods: Consecutive patients with grade III or IV hemorrhoids were randomly assigned to undergo either LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy. Data on patient demographic and clinical characteristics, operative details, postoperative pain score on a visual analog scale, number of parenteral analgesic injections, duration of hospital stay, and time to return to work were all prospectively collected. Postoperative complications and recurrence of prolapse were also recorded. Patients were regularly followed for a total period of 12 months., Results: A total of 68 patients completed the study (34 per group). Patient demographic and clinical characteristics were similar in the 2 groups. No significant differences between LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy were observed in mean operating time, postoperative pain score, number of parenteral analgesic injections, duration of hospital stay, or time to return to work. The groups were also similar regarding postoperative complications, except that at 4 weeks postoperatively, residual prolapse was observed in 8 patients (23.5%) in the stapled hemorrhoidopexy group vs. 2 patients (5.9%) in the LigaSure group (P = .040). Rate of recurrence of prolapse at 1 year was higher with stapled hemorrhoidopexy (4 patients, 11.8%) than with the LigaSure procedure (1 patient, 2.9%), but the difference was not significant (P = .163)., Conclusions: LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy yield comparable good results, with a short operative time and minimal side effects in the treatment of grade III and IV hemorrhoids, but with a lower rate of residual prolapse for the LigaSure procedure. Both procedures offer low levels of postoperative pain and therefore are excellent therapeutic options for prolapsed grade III and IV hemorrhoids. A larger controlled study is needed to reach solid conclusions regarding risk of postoperative recurrence of hemorrhoidal prolapse.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the surgical outcomes of hemorrhoidectomy performed by the Ligasure with that performed by the conventional diathermy., Methods: A total of 110 patients were randomized to Ligasure (55 patients) or diathermy (55 patients) hemorrhoidectomy. The operative time, postoperative pain scores, parenteral analgesic requirements in the first 24 hours, postoperative complications, and wound healing rates at six weeks postoperatively were documented., Results: The median operative time was 8 (range, 7-10) minutes for the Ligasure group and 18 (range, 15-21) minutes for the diathermy group (P < 0.001). Throughout the first postoperative week, the daily median pain score was lower in the Ligasure group than in the diathermy group (P < 0.001). The median number of analgesic ampoules during the first 24 hours postoperatively was lower in the Ligasure group (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. At six weeks postoperatively, more patients in the Ligasure group had complete healing of wounds (P = 0)., Conclusion: Ligasure provides a superior alternative to conventional diathermy in hemorrhoidectomy by reducing the operative time, postoperative pain, parenteral analgesic requirements during the first 24 hours postoperatively, and the time to complete healing of wounds.

Purpose: Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy using radiofrequency dissection (Ligasure) has been proposed instead of conventional diathermy in view of its potential benefits in terms of postoperative anal pain and better hemostatic control, but the medical literature is still controversial. This multicenter, randomized, controlled trial was designed to compare the outcomes between Ligasure and conventional diathermy hemorrhoidectomy in the Milligan-Morgan procedures in a sufficient number of patients., Methods: Patients with Grades III and IV hemorrhoids were randomized to two groups: Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy and conventional diathermy. Postoperative anal pain was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the analgesia required. Postoperative complications, wound healing, and return to working activities also were evaluated as secondary outcomes., Results: A total of 273 patients, well matched for age, gender, working activity and grade of hemorrhoids, were randomized to two groups: Ligasure 146, and diathermy 127. The severity of postoperative anal pain was significantly less in the Ligasure group when measured at least 12 hours after defecation (P < 0.01), whereas it was similar at the time of defecation. The Ligasure group had significantly lower requirements for painkiller pills. There were no significant differences in early and late complications. Return to work and normal activities was significantly faster in the Ligasure group., Conclusion: Ligasure hemorrhoidectomy is an effective procedure for Grades III and IV hemorrhoids and facilitates a faster return to work and normal activities by reducing postoperative pain.

Purpose: Symptoms caused by hemorrhoids are worse during defecation because of relaxation of the anal canal causing prolapse. We reviewed our experience of multiple rubber band ligations in a relaxed state of the anal canal using local anesthesia., Methods: Forty-five patients, the majority of whom had Grade 2 or 3 symptomatic hemorrhoids, who required treatment underwent four quadrant local anesthetic infiltration in the submucosa of the upper anal canal. We used 1.5 ml of 0.25 percent bupivacaine in 1:200,000 epinephrine, 5 mm above the dentate line., Results: The exposure of the relaxed anal canal was excellent, allowing multiple introductions of the anoscope and application of multiple bands without discomfort. The average number of bands applied in a single session was 3.84 (range, 1-7). Forty-two percent of the patients had banding performed at four sites. Complications following the procedure were minimal. Forty-seven percent of patients reported pain, with an average pain score of 5.29 (range, 1-10). Forty-seven percent of patients did not experience any pain after the procedure. Seventy-three percent had relief of symptoms; 16 percent had symptomatic recurrences, one-half of them were successfully treated by repeat banding after local anesthetic; only one patient required surgical hemorrhoidectomy., Conclusions: Local anesthesia of the upper anal canal results in full relaxation and maximal mucosal redundancy of the anal canal simulating the anus in a natural condition during defecation. This gives an excellent exposure of the anal canal, enabling an accurate and multiple applications of rubber bands without pain during and shortly after the procedure.

Rubber band ligation is a common option used to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Severe complications such as pelvic sepsis are a rare occurrence. We report a case of endocarditis leading to septic pulmonary and renal emboli following single-quadrant rubber band ligation. The patient had a known ventricular septal defect and developed low back pain and fever after ligation of a right anterior internal hemorrhoid. He was found to have septic pulmonary emboli, a renal wedge septic infarct, and a large vegetation on his membranous ventricular septal defect requiring operative intervention. Before this report, rubber band ligation has not been associated with endocarditis. According to several guidelines, this patient did not require antibiotic prophylaxis. It is unclear whether prophylaxis could have prevented this complication. Surgeons utilizing rubber band ligation need to be familiar with all potential complications.

Purpose: A modified anoscope was developed, with lateral apertures at the left lateral, right anterior, and right posterior quadrants, to enable synchronous exposure and ligation of all three internal hemorrhoids. Results were compared with those for conventional multiple ligation., Methods: Postligation pain, complications, and outcomes were compared between synchronous ligation with the new anoscope (synchronous group) and three-quadrant ligation with a conventional anoscope with similar overall dimensions (conventional group)., Results: Twenty-five patients were prospectively randomized to each group. Postligation pain and analgesic requirements were recorded up to 28 days, and postligation complications and outcomes were evaluated for a minimum of 6 months. Narcotic requirements were lower in the synchronous group, but this difference did not achieve statistical significance (P > 0.05, Student's t-test). Secondary hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient (4 percent) in the conventional group but resolved spontaneously. The synchronous group experienced significantly less pain during the ligation procedure and for 2 days afterward (P < 0.01, Wilcoxon's test). External hemorrhoidal thrombosis developed in 4 percent of the synchronous group and 12 percent of conventionally treated patients, all of whom responded to conservative treatment. Repeat ligation was required less often in the synchronous group (16 percent) than with conventional ligation (28 percent). Surgery (completion hemorrhoidectomy for external thrombosis) was necessary in one patient (4 percent) in each group. Anal stenosis developed in one patient in the synchronous group., Conclusion: The new anoscope provides improved exposure of all three internal hemorrhoids and permits optimal placement of the rubber bands; this may account for the decreased postligation pain and lower repeat ligation rates. Synchronous hemorrhoidal ligation is a less painful method of multiple hemorrhoidal ligation and may improve outcomes compared with conventional multiple ligation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the LigaSure vessel sealing system as an alternative to closed hemorrhoidectomy., Methods: Sixty-one patients with Grade 3 or 4 symptomatic hemorrhoids were prospectively randomly assigned to undergo hemorrhoidectomy with the LigaSure vessel sealing system or hemorrhoidectomy using the conventional Ferguson procedure. We determined the operation time, postoperative pain, amount of time taken off from work, and complications associated with both techniques., Results: Mean operative time for the LigaSure hemorrhoidectomy was 15 +/- 5.4 minutes and for the Ferguson operation, 21.2 +/- 8.2 minutes. The difference was significant (P < 0.01). There was also a significant decrease in pain measurements reported on postoperative Days 1 and 2 (P < 0.05) in the LigaSure group. The incidence of postoperative wound swelling and complications were similar between two groups. There was no difference in the period of time off from work between patient groups., Conclusion: This study confirms that LigaSure system can achieve a radical ablation of hemorrhoids, reduce operative time, and result in less postoperative pain on postoperative Days 1 and 2.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the role of micronized purified flavonidic fraction in the management of bleeding nonprolapsed hemorrhoids., Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to receive ispaghula husk alone, rubber band ligation plus ispaghula husk, or micronized purified flavonidic fraction plus ispaghula husk. Other colorectal diseases were excluded by colonoscopy. Blinded observers noted the time for bleeding to stop completely, recurrences, and treatment complications., Results: A total of 162 patients were randomly assigned with no significant differences in the age and gender distributions among the groups. Hemorrhoidal bleeding was relieved most expediently in the micronized purified flavonidic fraction plus ispaghula husk group (ispaghula husk alone n = 66, mean (standard error of the mean) 10.6 (2.3) days; rubber band ligation plus ispaghula husk n = 57, 5.6 (1.1) days; micronized purified flavonidic fraction plus ispaghula husk n = 39, 3.9 (1.2) days; P = 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in the recurrences at six months of follow-up (ispaghula husk alone n = 8 (12 percent); rubber band ligation plus ispaghula husk n = 12 (21 percent); micronized purified flavonidic fraction plus ispaghula husk n = 2 (5.1 percent); P = 0.075). No complications or side-effects were noted., Conclusions: micronized purified flavonidic fraction used with fiber supplements rapidly and safely relieved bleeding from nonprolapsed hemorrhoids.

A disposable syringe-like hemorrhoid ligator was invented to simplify the banding procedure for both patient and surgeon. This single-operator ligator, with its own suction mechanism and easy loading features, was designed for use without the need of an assistant or an anoscope. By pointing the ligator directly toward the appropriate site and by measuring the distance from the anal margin using reference markings on the ligator, the bands can be placed accurately in a blind manner inside the rectum for the treatment of symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Before the band is discharged, rotating the ligator through 180 degrees while applying suction will cause pain and give warning if the application site is not appropriate. In 480 patients treated to date, this technique was found to be well accepted and accurate, and the final results seem to be comparable to other methods of banding.

The placement of rubber bands on a ligator is often difficult and frustrating, especially when the operator is wearing gloves. A newly designed rubber-band loader with grooves and a pusher places the bands on the ligator easily, simultaneously, and quickly even under these conditions.

Unlabelled: The use of the circular stapler has enabled surgeons to perform very low anterior resections where previously abdominoperineal proctectomy would be performed for carcinoma of the rectum. The use of the roticulator or other linear stapler devices has facilitated these anastomoses and precluded the necessity for pursestring sutures, thereby reducing the incidence of incomplete tissue rings, which should reduce the risk of anastomotic leaks. One significant drawback to the roticulator, especially in the narrow male pelvis, is its application for very low lesions. In many cases the stapler cannot be forced deeply enough into the pelvis to allow for a sufficient margin below the tumor., Purpose: The purpose of this article is to report results of a prototype that applies a gasket that automatically fixes the rectum to the rod of the circular stapler., Method: To date the device has been used 22 times in 14 patients (8 patients had both limbs attached using the device, whereas 6 patients had only the rectal stump attached in this manner)., Results: All anastomoses healed without complication, all patients had complete donuts of tissue, and only two anastomoses had to be reinforced., Conclusion: The use of this device may facilitate stapling of very low anastomoses for carcinoma of the rectum.

Purpose: A new method for laparoscopic-assisted sigmoid colectomy and lymphadenectomy is presented. The purpose of this method is to avoid complications and restrictions associated with pneumoperitoneum., Methods: Abdominal wall is lifted up with Kirschner wires, which are placed in the middle and left lower abdomen; then a minilaparotomy, which can be created because air-tightness is not necessary, is extended at the beginning of the operation to later remove the resected specimen. Two laparoscopic instruments are inserted through the right lower abdomen. Through the minilaparotomy, the surgeon can operate with conventional instruments., Results: Operative time can be shortened, and surgical manipulations such as ligations and sutures are far easier than and cosmetic results are similar to those of laparoscopic surgery under pneumoperitoneum., Conclusion: We believe that this technique is a safe, time-saving, and cost-beneficial technique for sigmoid colectomy, and by changing the location of the minilaparotomy, this method can also be applied to other types of gastrointestinal surgery.

We describe a new accessory for rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids. By using the new instrument it is possible to abscind the elastic band applied to the base of the hemorrhoidal node without entailing traumatic interventions. Of a total of 62 elastic ligatures, this device was used in the last 18 procedures, and provided excellent results. This instrument enables the surgeon to carry out the technique in a more accurate way and, if necessary, rectify "dangerous mistakes" that can occur while accomplishing the procedure itself.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to evaluate the risks of multiple hemorrhoidal bandings in a single session., Methods: We retrospectively examined all of the patients who had hemorrhoidal bandings from July 1989 to August 1992., Results: Patients with multiple hemorrhoidal banding in a single session when compared with patients with single banding had greater discomfort and pain (29 percent vs. 4.5 percent), but this discomfort was usually manageable with oral analgesia of limited duration. There were also more vasovagal symptoms (5.2 percent vs. 0 percent), local swelling and edema (2.6 percent vs. 0 percent), and urinary hesitancy and frequency (12.3 percent vs. 0 percent) in the multiple-banded patients. No major complication such as massive delayed bleeding and perineal or pelvic sepsis was noted., Conclusion: Most patients tolerated multiple hemorrhoidal banding in a single session with acceptably low complications. Multiple banding in a single session is a safe and cost-effective alternative.

A new device for elastic band ligation of hemorrhoids is presented. The three instruments used for this procedure, the anoscope, clamp, and ligator, are combined to allow performance of the procedure by a single operator.

The seton has been useful in the treatment of complex anal fistulas. Various complicated methods to enhance the advancement of the seton through the external sphincter muscles have been described. We use a common office implement, the rubber band ligator, to manage the seton in an outpatient setting.

Records of 266 patients who had undergone rubber ring ligation for hemorrhoidal complaints from 1969 through 1976 were reviewed to evaluate the long-term results. The minimum follow-up period was 36 months, with a mean of 60 months. Of the patients, 80 per cent were improved, with 69 per cent totally free of all symptoms. A subsequent hemorrhoidectomy was required in 7.5 per cent. Results were similar when either bleeding or prolapse was the primary indication for treatment. Patients who had a single band applied fared as well as those with two or more ligations.