title: A personal experience in comparing three nonoperative techniques for treating internal hemorrhoids.
abstract: Infrared photocoagulation therapy was used on a total of 302 patients. Approximately 20% of the patients experienced minor bleeding; however, two required surgery, and 30% of the patients experienced discomfort during a 14-day period following the procedure. Good results were obtained in patients with first- and second-degree hemorrhoids. Heater probe coagulation therapy was conducted in a total of 264 patients. Good results were achieved in 90% of patients with first- and second-degree hemorrhoids, minor pain and bleeding occurred in approximately 10% of these patients, and one patient with third-degree hemorrhoids who was treated with this technique failed to respond and required surgery. Ultroid d.c. current therapy was utilized in 192 patients, and follow-up results were good in 95% of these cases. Minor bleeding occurred in four patients. It is concluded that all three techniques, performed on an outpatient basis with little or no sedation, are effective modalities for first- and second-degree hemorrhoids, but that Ultroid d.c. current therapy is associated with less discomfort and fewer complications and that Ultroid therapy may yield good results in some patients with third- or even fourth-degree hemorrhoids.
authors.affiliation: Gastrointestinal Laboratories, Brea Community Hospital, California.
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Zinberg
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Furman
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wittles
mesh_terms: D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008028:Light Coagulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods