The Effort to Reduce Vasovagal Reaction and Abdominal Pain During Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy

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Ann Coloproctol. 2020;36(5):291-292
Publication date (electronic) : 2020 October 31
doi : https://doi.org/10.3393/ac.2020.10.13
Department of Surgery, Busan Hangun Hospital, Busan, Korea
Correspondence to: Hyeonseok Jeong, M.D. Department of Surgery, Busan Hangun Hospital, 1 Chungnyeol-daero 348beon-gil, Dongnae-gu, Busan 47889, Korea Tel: +82-51-580-2824, Fax: +82-51-580-2753 E-mail: mdlonelywolf@gmail.com

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In 1998, Dr. Longo introduced a hemorrhoid surgical procedure using a circular stapler suturing device [1]. Since then, stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) has been widely done with the advantages of less pain and faster recovery than conventional hemorrhoid surgery [2]. But as time goes by, the disadvantages of SH have been reported. The most common problem is recurrence after a long time after SH [3, 4]. In addition, SH specific complications such as life-threatening sepsis due to rectal perforation and rectovaginal fistula were reported [5-7]. And common hemorrhoid complications such as stenosis and fecal incontinence were also reported [8, 9]. This complication is major and serious problem, and many reports and studies have been made due to difficulties in treatment. Fortunately, these complications are not common [8].

However, empirically, there are complications that are experienced at least more than once during SH surgery. It is the vasovagal reaction (VVR; nausea, diaphoresis, and syncope) and abdominal pain. Patients usually notice the problems when the operator closes stapler device and fire stapler handle. In general, hemorrhoidectomy is a minor surgery. Therefore, it could be done in small hospitals or clinics where manpower or equipment are not abundant. In these places, it can be very challenging if a patient loses consciousness with VVR or blood pressure drops during surgery. Few studies have reported the prevalence or severity of these problems, which may be because most of them recover without special treatment.

Most studies about hemorrhoid and pain are the results of using lidocaine, nitroglycerin, calcium channel blocker, etc., to relieve anal pain after surgery [10, 11]. There have been several studies on VVR and abdominal pain that can occur during hemorrhoidectomy and band ligation. Kim et al. [12] reported effect of lidocaine injection on lower rectal submucosa during hemorrhoidectomy. VVR was presented in 9 patients of 100 patients during conventional hemorrhoidectomy. Pain and VVR during surgery were reduced significantly in the lidocaine injection group compared to the control group. In another randomized controlled trial, they compared band ligation with local anesthesia and without (control). They checked vasovagal symptoms at the time of banding and pain scores at the conclusion of procedure, after 15 minutes, and on leaving the clinic. Vasovagal symptom was presented in 12 patients of 80 patients. The pain score was significantly lower compared to the control group, but there was no significant difference in vasovagal symptoms [13].

In the SH, there are few papers about the prevalence or prevention method of VVR that occurs during surgery. Cho et al. [14] reported a randomized control trial of incidence VVR and the effect of lidocaine injection during SH. A total of 111 patients were included in this study and 20 patients had low abdominal pain during SH. And there were VVR in 5 patients during procedure. The lidocaine injection group experienced lesser lower abdominal pain and dizziness than the control group. This study has some limitations including a small number size. But it is impressive to check of the prevalence of VVR and lower abdominal pain during SH. And an attempt to prove the effect of lidocaine use, which is known empirically, can be considered meaningful.

Usually, patients who underwent SH notice low abdominal pain when stapler device is closed. Abdominal pain or VVR may be associated with a pulled mucosa in process of SH. In this study, the results were not compared according to the surgical method [14]. However, in the case of partial SH, selectively pure-string sutures were done to only the hemorrhoidal tissues preserving normal tissue [15]. So the degree of mucosa is smaller than that of circular SH. If studies are conducted based on the difference between partial SH and circular SH, much information may be taken about VVR and abdominal pain during SH.

SH is widely used as a surgical method of hemorrhoids. And it is an important issue to operate the patient safely and comfortably. Many studies are conducted to prevent and resolve only severe complications of SH. It is also important to study VVR or abdominal pain that may occur during SH. And the mechanism of VVR and low abdominal pain during surgery is unclear. To resolve this problem and prevent VVR and lower abdominal pain, more research and studies are needed to be done.

Notes

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

References

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