Treatment of Rectal Ulcer Complicating Sclerosing Therapy for Internal Hemorrhoids with Aluminum Potassium Sulfate Tannic Acid (ALTA)

Abstract

ALTA injection is a promising sclerosing therapy for internal hemorrhoids. This therapy has become the most frequent choice for treating patients with internal hemorrhoids at Kunimoto Hospital since April 23, 2005, obtaining good results overall in 700 cases. However, symptomatic rectal ulcer after this therapy occurred in three patients. One case of the three was a severe ulcer grossly recognized as Ul-3. These patients were cured by conservative therapy for a few months, and no defecation disorders were observed afterward. From the results, we found that there is a possibility of rectal ulcers occurring after sclerosing therapy of internal hemorrhoids with ALTA. After applying ALTA, regular observation of the patient, adequate explanation to the patient, and proper conservative medical treatment are essential.