Assessment of electrotherapy in treatment of hemorrhoids in Southern Iran

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have developed an electrotherapy device in order to improve the outcome and decrease the number of referrals and duration of treatment of internal hemorrhoid.

METHODS: We treated 2015 hemorrhoids among 931 patients (382 males and 549 females); 319 hemorrhoids were grade 1, 1158 grade 2 and 538 grade 3, from May 1995 to October 2002, at Nemazee and Faghihee Hospitals in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. All patients were referred due to fresh rectal bleeding or reducible prolapsed hemorrhoid with no response to medical treatment. After introduction of anesthesia, 27-30 mAmp direct current was applied to each hemorrhoid with durations of 4.5 minutes for grade 1, 5.5 minutes for grade 2 and 7 minutes for grade 3.

RESULTS: Our results showed that 97.1% of patients responded well to the treatment and 27 patients returned with fresh rectal bleeding or prolapsed hemorrhoid in 2 weeks to 2 months postoperatively. Ninety-six percent of the patients were discharged on the same operating day. After 24 hours postoperation, 92% of the patients had no any pain and no need any analgesic. Among those patients who had not responded to the treatment; 24 cases underwent electrotherapy for a 2nd time and 3 patients were treated excising their prolapsed hemorrhoids. No other complications were detected.

CONCLUSION: Postoperative pain was mild and tolerable and 93.2% of patients returned to normal activity after 2 days. Electrotherapy with the above mentioned method is considered safe and effective without any major complications and with acceptable patient's satisfaction. This method can be used for treatment of grades 1, 2 and 3 hemorrhoids.