Evaluation of two injection sclerosants in the treatment of symptomatic haemorrhoids in Nigerians.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of 5% phenol in almond oil with 50% dextrose water as sclerosants in the treatment of first- to third-degree haemorrhoids.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, comparative study conducted on eighty patients with first-, second- and third-degree haemorrhoids who consented to treatment by injection sclerotherapy with either 5% phenol in almond oil or 50% dextrose water. They were randomised equally into two groups.

RESULTS: A total of eighty patients including 58 males and 22 females whose age ranged from 19 to 61 years were included in the study. Bleeding was the chief symptom which was present in 78 (97.5%) patients, and there was complete resolution of this in 92.3% and 89.7% in the 5% phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water groups, respectively, at 6 months (P = 0.905). Similar degrees of resolution were noted for anal protrusion (89.1% and 85.3% in the 5% phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water group, respectively, P = 0.899). The overall complication rate was 3.6% with anal mucosa ulceration being the only complication, occurring in three patients who had 5% phenol in almond oil. Peri-procedure pain, patients satisfaction and acceptability were not significantly different in both groups (P = 0.912, 0.928 and 0.926 respectively).

CONCLUSION: Five percent phenol in almond oil and 50% dextrose water are equally effective sclerosants in the treatment of haemorrhoids with very low complication rates.