ORLANDO, Fla., Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Results of the United States Multi- Center Clinical Trial for the Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) were presented today at the 17th World Conference of Family Doctors in Orlando, FL. Anthony J. Senagore, MD, Cleveland Clinic Chair of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery, presented top line data from the prospective, randomized, 17-center, 156 patient clinical trial.
This is the first U.S. trial to assess both postoperative and long-term outcomes of PPH compared to the traditional Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy. Results demonstrated:
-- Significantly less postoperative pain for PPH patients during the first 14 days compared to Ferguson hemorrhoidectomy -- Fewer postoperative analgesics needed in patients who received PPH, as well as significantly less pain medication on days 3 and 5. -- Less pain for PPH patients at first bowel movement (4.9 PPH vs. 6.6 Ferguson) with 40% of PPH patients reporting no or mild pain at the first postoperative bowel movement versus 17% of Ferguson patients. -- In addition, fewer PPH patients required anorectal procedures after one-year (2.6% PPH vs. 13.9% Ferguson).
“Physicians may have been waiting to refer their chronic hemorrhoid patients to a surgeon for a hemorrhoidectomy because of the pain associated,” Dr. Senagore said. “There is no need to wait anymore. The data now confirm the fact that surgeons can now provide a significantly less painful and highly effective solution for patients with severe hemorrhoidal disease.”
National statistics say more than fifty percent of Americans will develop hemorrhoids, usually after age 30. While some sufferers progress to surgery, millions of Americans wait in pain due to embarrassment, fear of extreme pain and long recovery associated with traditional hemorrhoidectomy, and fear that hemorrhoid symptoms are really signs of cancer. Patients who require surgery for their hemorrhoids now have a surgical treatment alternative proven to offer less pain than traditional hemorrhoidectomy procedures.
PPH - how it works
Using a stapling device, the PPH procedure essentially “lifts up” or repositions the mucosa, or anal canal tissue, and reduces blood flow to the internal hemorrhoids. These internal hemorrhoids then typically shrink within four to six weeks after the procedure. The PPH procedure results in less pain than traditional procedures because it is performed above the “pain” line, or dentate line, inside the anal canal. The advantage is that this method affects few nerve endings, while traditional procedures are performed below the dentate line, affecting many sensitive nerve endings.
Facts about hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are natural and necessary tissue found in the anal canal. Hemorrhoidal disease results when the tissue enlarges and descends downward into the anal canal. The condition can result from several factors, including constipation with prolonged straining, diet, and pregnancy. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include aching after a bowel movement; anal or rectal itching; bright red blood on toilet tissue or in toilet bowl; appearance of anal tissue pads or sensitive lumps. When any of these symptoms are present, it is important to see a doctor to make sure the cause of the discomfort is hemorrhoids and not some other problem.
Where to get more information
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks that accompany PPH. For more information, healthcare professionals can log on to http://www.pphinfo.com/, or call 1-800-USE ENDO.
Ethicon Endo-Surgery
CONTACT: Mary Bosco, for Ethicon Endo-Surgery, +1-816-512-2321, orboscom@fleishman.com
Web site: http://www.pphinfo.com/