Endoscopic monopolar coagulation of internal haemorrhoids: a surgeon's experience of the first 100 cases

Rubber band ligation versus coagulation for the treatment of haemorrhoids: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Non-surgical therapies have the advantage of lower postoperative pain and complication rates compared with surgical therapies. Rubber band ligation and coagulation are two kinds of non-surgical therapies. The aim of this study is to compare the clinical outcomes of rubber band ligation and coagulation. A systematic review was conducted to identify randomised clinical trials that compare rubber band ligation and coagulation treatments for haemorrhoids. PubMed and Web of Science were searched, from inception to April 30th,2022. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed. Fifty-nine studies were identified. Nine trials met the inclusion criteria. All trials were of moderate methodological quality. No significant difference was found between rubber band ligation and coagulation in terms of efficacy rate, postoperative prolapse rate, recurrence rate and postoperative urine retention rate after treatment. Patients undergoing rubber band ligation had higher postoperative pain rate and lower postoperative bleeding rate than patients undergoing coagulation. The subgroup analysis showed that there was no significant difference between rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation or non-infrared coagulation in terms of efficacy rate, postoperative bleeding and postoperative urine retention rate after treatment. Patients undergoing rubber band ligation had a higher postoperative pain rate than patients undergoing infrared coagulation or non-infrared coagulation. We believe that coagulation for haemorrhoids still has a good future. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022311281.

Progress in Endoscopic Treatment of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common diseases of the anorectal region. Previously, treatment for hemorrhoids included conservative treatment, outpatient treatment, and surgical treatment. The development of flexible reversible endoscopes has provided precise controllability and imaging, enabling further improvement and development of various endoscopic techniques to treat hemorrhoids. This article discusses several of these endoscopic techniques: rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, and electrocoagulation. The development, efficacy, and advantages of these treatments are summarized and evaluated. It is expected that going forward, endoscopic technology will be further applied in clinical practice and may become the first-line method for the treatment of hemorrhoids.