| Summary: | With the advent of DGHAL and PPH, treatments that purport to work by disrupting the arterial supply of haemorrhoids, there has been resurgence in interest in the vascular theory of pathogenesis of haemorrhoids. Despite uncertainty surrounding recurrence and complication rates there has been significant uptake of the new surgical approach due to decreased post-operative pain. However this has not been matched by discussion or evaluation of how haemorrhoidal disease and successful outcome should be evaluated. This thesis evaluates different approaches to the measurement of the burden of haemorrhoidal disease to the patient. A patient reported outcome measure was designed, administered and evaluated by the investigator. Reliability, reproducibility, validity, responsiveness and acceptability have been demonstrated. Three-dimensional ultrasound was used to acquire volumetric data and power Doppler angiography from the anal canal, which was shown to be reliable. Measures of power Doppler angiography were shown to be significantly lower in healthy volunteers than in patients. This technique represents promising value as an outcome measure of haemorrhoidal disease. A dual isotope-surgical nuclear probe technique attempted to measure change in volume of haemorrhoids following rubber band ligation, however consistent results were not obtained. Magnetic resonance imaging was able to demonstrate anal cushions and haemorrhoids, and the feasibility of this method has been demonstrated.
|
|---|
