This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Assessment of haemorrhoidal artery network using colour duplex imaging and clinical implications. BJS 2012; 99: 112-118.
Published: 21st October 2011
Authors: C. Ratto, A. Parello, L. Donisi, F. Litta, G. Zaccone, G. B. Doglietto et al.
Background
Dearterialization should reduce arterial overflow to haemorrhoids. The purpose of this study was to assess the topography of haemorrhoidal arteries.
Method
Fifty patients with haemorrhoidal disease were studied. Using endorectal ultrasonography, six sectors were identified within the lower rectal circumference. Starting from the highest level (6 cm above the anorectal junction), the same procedure was repeated every 1 cm until the lowest level was reached (1 cm above the anorectal junction). Colour duplex imaging examinations identified haemorrhoidal arteries related to the rectal wall layers, and the arterial depth was calculated.
Results
Haemorrhoidal arteries were detected in 64·3, 66·0, 66·0, 98·3, 99·3 and 99·7 per cent of the sectors 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 cm above the anorectal junction respectively (P < 0·001). Most of the haemorrhoidal arteries were external to the rectal wall at 6 and 5 cm (97·9 and 90·9 per cent), intramuscular at 4 cm (55·0 per cent), and within the submucosa at 3, 2 and 1 cm above the anorectal junction (67·1, 96·6 and 100 per cent) (P < 0·001). The mean arterial depth decreased significantly from 8·3 mm at 6 cm to 1·9 mm at 1 cm above the anorectal junction (P < 0·001).
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the vast majority of haemorrhoidal arteries lie within the rectal submucosa at the lowest 2 cm above the anorectal junction. This should therefore be the best site for performing haemorrhoidal dearterialization. Copyright © 2011 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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