Occlusion of rectal arteries in the treatment of recurrent hemorrhoidal disease after transanal surgical interventions

The article presents data on variant X-ray anatomy of the superior rectal artery and types of arterial architectonics of the rectum. The causes of recurrent hemorrhoidal disease after traditional transanal surgical interventions are highlighted. The possibilities of endovascular occlusion of rectal arteries in the treatment of relapses of chronic hemorrhoids are shown. Its technical variants are given depending on the number of hemorrhoidal arteries and types of arterial architectonics of the rectum.

Over a 2-year period, clinical results of endovascular occlusion of hemorrhoidal arteries were evaluated in 11 patients with relapse of the disease after various transanal interventions: after latex ligation of internal hemorrhoids – in 5, transanal desarterization of internal hemorrhoids with mucopexia – in 4, hemorrhoidectomy – in 2. The average age of patients was 44.2 ± 12.5 years. Men – 5, women – 6. Superselective occlusion of the target hemorrhoidal branches of the upper rectal artery was performed with EmboGold (Merit Medical) microparticles, 500–700/300–500 mkm in size. Immediate results: cessation of bleeding on the first day – in 4 patients, after 3 days – in 5, after 7 days – in 2. Terms of hospitalization – 1 day, disability – 4.3 ± 0.7 days. Long-term results (from 1 to 2 years) were observed in all 11 patients. The course is relapse-free.

As an illustration, a clinical case is presented – successful treatment of a patient with recurrent hemorrhoidal disease by endovascular occlusion of hemorrhoidal arteries after five traditional transanal surgical interventions: sclerosing, ligation, dearterization of internal hemorrhoids, dearterization of internal hemorrhoids with mucopexia, removal of external hemorrhoids. Within 3 months after endovascular occlusion – complete regression of all symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. According to the questionnaire (after 1 and 2 years) there is no relapse of the disease, the patient is subjectively satisfied with the endovascular treatment.

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