Hämorrhoidalleiden : Neue konservative und operative Therapien für ein weit verbreitetes Leiden (Schwerpunkt)

Approximately 70% of the adult population is affected by haemorrhoids one of the most common diseases in industrial nations. Anal bleeding and minor continence disorders as well as itching, soiling and burning are typical discomforts which are independent of the size of the haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids presenting as solitary, multiple nodes or as circular prolapses are staged into four grades which are the basis for different therapy options. A differentiation must be made between anoderm prolapse, mariscae, thromboses of the anal veins and segmental mucosal prolapse of the rectum as well as circular external prolapse of the rectum. Therapy options in the early stages are conservative measures, such as regulation of defecation, sclerosis and rubber band ligations. Advanced stages require operative methods, such as segmental excision and stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Other procedures, such as (Doppler-guided) haemorrhoidal artery ligation, rectoanal repair, coagulation techniques or other minimally invasive methods are still in need of scientific proof of comparativeness or even superiority to the established methods.