Self-Mechanical Anal Dilatation: A Simple Trick to Minimize Postoperative Pain and Stenosis Following Hemorrhoidectomy With Radiofrequency

Aim: Hemorrhoidectomy is still the most effective surgical treatment for hemorrhoidal disease, but it is, however, associated with complications such as pain and stenosis. We proposed to break the “vicious circle” of “pain–sphincteric spasm–stenosis–pain” with the postoperative use of self-mechanical anal dilation.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with hemorrhoidal disease presenting with a minimum of piles of three quadrants, treated with radiofrequency hemorrhoidectomy between January 2018 and December 2019. All the patients that at 3 weeks presented sphincteric spasms with painful defecation, were considered. Thirty-nine patients performed the cycle of self-mechanical anal dilation (Group A). This group was 1:1 matched with homogeneous patients from our historical cohort of patients (Group B). The primary endpoint was the pain evaluation, secondary endpoints: WCS, overall satisfaction of the patient, anal sphincter spasm, scarring, and the incidence of postoperative stenosis.Results: In Group A mean VAS was 3.25 after 14 days of application and 1.15 at the end of the application. In Group B mean VAS was persistently higher, with a mean VAS of 5 (p = 0.000002) and 3.38 (p = 0.0000000000009). In Group A we observed an improvement of symptoms at the end, with a good overall satisfaction (Group A 7.4 vs. Group B 5.9; p = 0.0000007) and a better mean WCS (Group A WCS 2.8 vs. Group B WCS 4.18; p = 0.0001). Stenosis was observed in 3/39 patients of Group B (7.7%).Conclusions: Self-mechanical anal dilation improves the pain in the late postoperative course, minimizing the risk of anal stenosis.

Acupuncture at Xinbaliao Point in Treating A Case of Urinary Retention after Rectal Cancer Surgery

Urinary retention after surgery is caused by inadvertent damage to the muscles and nerves around the bladder during the operation, which results in the suppression of the urination reflex, or the postoperative pain that causes sphincter spasm and dysuria. It is a common complication after anorectal disease, with an incidence rate of up to 52%, which seriously affects the daily life of patients. It has been clinically discovered that acupuncture at Xinbaliao point can effectively improve urinary retention, relieve swelling in the lower abdomen, and improve the quality of life of patients. In this report, we present a case of postoperative urinary retention that had been treated with acupuncture at the Xinbaliao point.

Anal Endosonographic Findings in Patients with Obstructed Defecation

Anal endosonography, including measurements of anal sphincter size, was performed in 16 patients with obstructed defecation. The findings were compared with those at defecography and anal manometry. Patients with rectocele and intussusception had a normal endosonographic appearance. One patient with puborectalic spasm had normal sonography. There was no correlation between sphincter size and anal manometry. The external sphincter muscle was thicker and the cross-sectional area larger in patients with obstructed defecation than in healthy controls (p < 0.05). Two patients with sphincter spasm and impaired rectal emptying at defecography had clearly thickened internal sphincters which may be the cause of their defecatory disorder. Three patients with previous anal dilatation or hemorrhoidectomy had sphincteric defects. Anal endosonography may be considered in patients with obstructed defecation to identify patients with internal sphincter hypertrophy.