A randomized trial of photocoagulation or injection sclerotherapy for the treatment of first- and second-degree hemorrhoids

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A total of 135 patients with a diagnosis of hemorrhoids were randomized to receive either photocoagulation (P) (n = 73) or injection sclerotherapy with phenol (I) (n = 62). Each patient was assessed at 1, 4 and 12 mo. intervals after treatment. At 1, 4 and 12 mo., there was no clinical difference between the groups; at 12 mo., however, the proportion of patients who were symptomatically improved or asymptomatic was 59% after photocoagulation compared with 50% of those treated by injection (P = 73%; I = 50%). Seven patients treated by photocoagulation required repeated therapy compared with only 1 after injection (P < 0.02). Additional therapy was used in 8 patients after photocoagulation, as compared with 3 after injection. The operation rate for each group, however, was similar. There were no complications of therapy. Photocoagulation is an easy, non-invasive, safe method of treatment, giving results that are comparable to treatment by injection sclerotherapy.