Early quality of life outcomes following Doppler guided transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation: a prospective observational study

There are few studies examining the quality of life (QOL) of patients with haemorrhoidal disease. Transanal heamorrhoidal dearterialization (THD) is a treatment modality for heamorrhoidal disease in which a Doppler transducer is used to locate the supplying arteries that are subsequently ligated. The aim of this study was to assess symptoms and QOL changes following THD.This was a prospective evaluation of QOL and symptom changes following THD. Patient symptoms, demographics and QOL were recorded preoperatively and 1-month post-operatively following THD using the medical outcomes study short-form-36 (SF-36).Thirteen patients undergoing THD were evaluated. One month following THD symptoms of haemorrhoid protrusion, bleeding, anal pain, painful defaecation, constipation and tenesmus, had all significantly reduced (P0.05). Limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems (53.8 +/- 10.5 Vs 90.4 +/-4.5, P = 0.004), vitality, energy and fatigue (45 +/- 6.9 Vs 73.5 +/- 5.0, P= 0.003), general mental health, psychologic distress and wellbeing (60.9 +/- 6.9 Vs 83.1 +/- 5.9, P= 0.023), limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems (58.7 +/- 8.8 Vs 84 +/- 5.9, P = 0.025), and physical pain (52.9 +/- 7.9 Vs 84.6 +/- 6.4, P= 0.005) scores had all improved 1-month following THD.THD significantly reduces symptoms of haemorrhoidal disease and improves specific aspects of QOL 1-month following surgery.