Treatment Outcomes of Sclerotherapy in Hemorrhoids: A Prospective Observational Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Tripura, India
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Hemorrhoidal disease is a common anorectal condition causing significant morbidity and impaired quality of life. Sclerotherapy has been increasingly utilized as a minimally invasive and cost-effective therapeutic option, particularly in resource-limited settings. Objective: To evaluate the short-term and mid-term outcomes of sclerotherapy in patients presenting with bleeding hemorrhoids. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, Agartala Government Medical College & GBP Hospital, Tripura, over 18 months. A total of 270 patients with bleeding hemorrhoids were enrolled. Following proctoscopic diagnosis, patients received sclerotherapy using 5% phenol in almond oil, sodium tetradecyl sulphate, or polidocanol. Clinical outcomes were assessed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months post-procedure. Results: The mean age of participants was 41.3 years, with a male predominance (64.1%). On proctoscopy, Grade II hemorrhoids were more common (61.1%) than Grade I (38.9%). Symptom resolution was achieved in 94.4% of patients after one week. The recurrence rate of bleeding within six months was 9.8%. Post-procedural complications occurred in 7.9% of cases, most being minor (tenesmus, dizziness, chest pain). Only 7.9% required additional sclerotherapy sessions. Conclusion: Sclerotherapy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive outpatient procedure for the management of Grade I and II hemorrhoids. Its high symptom resolution and low recurrence rates support its continued use, particularly in regions with limited surgical resources.
Authors: Sourav Das, Nilotpal Chakma, Pritam Das, Tapash Rudrapau, Jayati Saha
Institution: Agartala Government Medical College
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4416691506