Management of haemorrhoids

Abstract

Sources and selection criteriaArticles were retrieved from the Medline database and Cochrane library under the MeSH subheadings “hemorrhoid” and “haemorrhoid”. We included randomised controlled trials and meta-analyses.Summary points Haemorrhoids are enlarged vascular cushions in the anal canal Treatment depends on the degree of prolapse and severity of symptoms Rubber band ligation is the best outpatient treatment for haemorrhoids—up to 80% of patients are satisfied with the short term outcome Surgery is reserved for large symptomatic haemorrhoids that do not respond to outpatient treatment Doppler guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation and stapled haemorrhoidopexy are new alternatives to the traditional and more painful open or closed haemorrhoidectomy