title: Laser therapy of solitary rectal ulcers: a new concept.
abstract: Fourteen cases of histologically proven benign solitary rectal ulcer were managed with Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet (Nd:YAG) laser (contact mode) over a three-year period. All patients were symptomatic at presentation (bleeding, mucus or pus discharge per rectum, with or without diarrhoea). Thirteen of the 14 (93%) were relieved of symptoms after a mean of 2.3 sittings of laser (range 1-8). None of the patients had associated rectal prolapse. Successfully treated patients have been followed up for a mean of 14.2 months (two to 25 months) and are symptom free. There was minimal morbidity and no death. Nd:YAG laser excision of benign solitary rectal ulcers is a safe, new and patient-friendly technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Endoscopy, Willingdon Hospital, India.
authors.forename: B K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Harikrishnan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krishna
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*