The First Study Evaluating the Safety of Pre-Surgery Administration of Metformin in Patients with Colorectal and other Gastrointestinal Cancers and Effect on Cancer Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: The cancer stem cell (CSC) hypothesis of tumor genesis suggests that unlike most cancer cells within tumor CSC resist chemotherapy and can regenerate various cell types in tumor thereby causing relapse. Hence drugs that selectively target CSC may offer great promise for cancer therapy especially when combined with chemotherapy. Current treatment options for colorectal cancer (CRC) and other gastrointestinal (GI) tumors rely on combination of surgical resection, cytotoxic and targeted drugs. Recent findings showed that metformin, an ant diabetic drug was associated with a significantly lower risk of CRC (0.63 [0.47 - 0.84]; P = 0.002) in patients with type 2 diabetes. We therefore hypothesize that administration of metformin will reduce CSC. METHODS: Patients with CRC and other GI cancers undergoing resection were enrolled. Metformin was administered at 500 mg orally twice daily for up to 14 days and terminated 24 hours, prior to planned surgery. Both tumor and normal tissue was procured. Adverse events (AEs) were graded according to NCI CTCAE Version 3.0. Primary objective was to establish the safety of administering metformin prior to resection. Secondary objective was to evaluate the effects of metformin on the expression of CSC markers by measuring relative mRNA levels of CD133, OCT4 and NANOG by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: A total of 10 patients (4 Male; 6 Female) received metformin. Grade 3 AEs included anemia, hypoalbuminemia, alanine aminotransferase elevation, abdominal pain and nausea but none of these were related to metformin. No hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis were observed. No unexpected post-operative complications were witnessed. Comparison of markers of CCSC results showed that expression of CD133, OCT4 and NANOG expression were decreased following metformin. CONCLUSIONS: Our pilot study showed feasibility of metformin before surgery in GI cancers and indicated impact on CSC. This preliminary data warrants further investigation in a larger randomized placebo-control study to assess these markers and their correlation with survival.

Longer Operative Time and Intraoperative Blood Transfusion Are Associated with Postoperative Anastomotic Leak after Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery.

Anastomotic leak after lower gastrointestinal surgery is a complication with potential for high morbidity, mortality, and increased costs. A single-institution retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent lower gastrointestinal surgery between June 2009 and June 2013. Fifty-seven variables were included in our analysis and their association with postoperative anastomotic leak was examined. Nine hundred fifty-two patients underwent 983 lower gastrointestinal anastomoses with an overall leak rate in this series of 6 per cent. Type of intestinal anastomosis created (P < 0.00005), operative indication (P < 0.015), operation performed (P < 0.014), intraoperative blood transfusion (P < 0.017), and intraoperative surgical drain placement (P < 0.022) were all predictive of anastomotic leak. Anastomotic leak rate increased by 1.3 times for every additional hour in the operating room after three hours. Both increasing operation time and intraoperative blood transfusions were associated with an increased rate of anastomotic leak. When operative time extends beyond three hours or in those cases were blood transfusions are given, surgeons should consider taking steps to minimize the risks of a potential anastomotic leak.

Adenoma detection rate metrics in colorectal cancer surveillance colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: A target goal for screening adenoma detection rate (S-ADR) of ≥ 25% has been set to define high-quality colonoscopy performance. However, there is no current accepted target goal for ADR in colorectal cancer (CRC) surveillance. This makes quality assessment challenging when physicians perform cancer surveillance colonoscopy but minimal screening procedures. METHODS: In this cohort study, consecutive colonoscopies performed at either Rush University Medical Center or Rush Oak Park Hospital by a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon in average risk screening population and CRC surveillance population were reviewed retrospectively from 2006 to 2012 and prospectively from 2013 to 2016. ADR in first surveillance colonoscopy following surgical resection of CRC (CRC-ADR) was reported in high-quality detectors (HQD) or low-quality detectors (LQD) based on achievement of 25% ADR in consecutive screening colonoscopy in average risk patients. Pearson's correlation was used to describe the association between individual S-ADR and CRC-ADR for colonoscopists. RESULTS: There was a very strong positive correlation (r = 0.88, p = 0.002) between ADR in average risk screening and first time CRC surveillance. For HQD as defined by S-ADR ≥ 25% (n = 10 colonoscopists), the CRC-ADR was 37.7% (78/207, SD 8%) which was very similar to their respective S-ADR of 33.4% (816/2440, p = 0.22). For LQD (n = 5 colonoscopists), the CRC-ADR was 20.2% (40/198) which was similar to their respective S-ADR of 20.1% (119/591, p = 0.99). The CRC-ADR was significantly higher for HQD than for LQD (37.7 vs. 20.2%, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The major finding of this study is a defined CRC-ADR for HQD based on the ability to achieve S-ADR ≥ 25%. S-ADR strongly correlates with CRC-ADR. CRC-ADR is quite similar to the colonoscopists' respective S-ADR for both HQD and LQD. For colonoscopists who perform limited screening colonoscopies but do perform CRC surveillance colonoscopies, ADR metrics similar to S-ADR to assess quality in colonoscopy could be considered.

Effect of protected research time on ABSITE scores during general surgery residency.

BACKGROUND: Objective - To determine whether residents with one or more years of dedicated research time (Research Residents, RR) improved their ABSITE scores compared to those without (Non-Research Residents, N-RR). METHODS: A retrospective review of general surgery residents' ABSITE scores from 1995 to 2016 was performed. RR were compared to N-RR. Additional analysis of At Risk (AR) v Not At Risk residents (NAR) (35th percentile as PGY1-2) was also performed. RESULTS: Cohort - 147 residents (34 RR and 113 N-RR). There were no differences in initial ABSITE scores (p = 0.47). By definition, the AR group had lower scores than NAR. Overall, post-research RR v PGY-4 N-RR scores did not differ (p = 0.84). Only the AR residents improved their scores (p = 0.0009 v NAR p = 0.42), regardless of research group (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: Protected research time did not improve residents' ABSITE scores, regardless of initial scores. At Risk residents improved regardless of research group status.

Antithrombin in the treatment of burn trauma.

Antithrombin (AT) is a natural anticoagulant with anti-inflammatory properties that has demonstrated value in sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation and in burn and inhalation injury. With high doses, AT may decrease blood loss during eschar excision, reducing blood transfusion requirements. There are no human randomized, placebo-controlled studies, which have tested the true benefit of this agent in these conditions. Two main forms of AT are either plasma-derived AT (phAT) and recombinant AT (rhAT). Major ovine studies in burn and smoke inhalation injury have utilized rhAT. There have been no studies which have either translated the basic rhAT research in burn trauma, or determined the tolerance and pharmacokinetics of rhAT concentrate infusions in burn patients. Advantages of rhAT infusions are no risk of blood borne diseases and lower cost. However, the majority of human burn patient studies have been conducted utilizing phAT. Recent Japanese clinical trials have started using phAT in abdominal sepsis successfully. This review examines the properties of both phAT and rhAT, and analyzes studies in which they have been utilized. We believe that it is time to embark on a randomized placebo-controlled multi-center trial to establish the role of AT in both civilian and military patients with burn trauma.

Systems-based practice: learning the concepts using a teamwork competition model.

BACKGROUND: Systems-based practice (SBP) is a core competency of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) that must be integrated into residency training. We sought to develop a method to improve resident understanding using a teamwork competition model. METHODS: The residents were given a pretest to assess their understanding of SBP followed by a didactic lecture. They were then divided into teams to solve a programmatic "problem" in the residency. Each team had to prove that their solution best fulfilled the expectations of SBP. Their solutions were then presented at a departmental conference followed by a post-test to evaluate knowledge. RESULTS: In the pretest, 33% of the residents understood what SBP meant and only 15% knew the components of SBP. In the post-test, this increased to 85% and 89%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SBP is a competency mandated by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in residency training. Using a novel approach, we were able to improve the residents' understanding of SBP.

Enterocolic fistula due to a rectal stent: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) are successfully being used to acutely relieve obstructing colorectal cancers; yet, their use does not come without complications. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case in which a patient with a recurrent obstructing sigmoid carcinoma underwent colonic stenting for acute decompression. Two months after stent placement, an enterocolic fistula formed from erosion of the upper end of the stent. DISCUSSION: An extensive literature review revealed that fistula formation, as a complication of stent placement, is rarely reported. Presentation of the case is followed by a review of complications that may arise following SEMS placement, with a focus on enterocolic fistulae. To our knowledge, this work provides the most extensive review of the subject to date. CONCLUSION: SEMS provide an effective, safe, and less invasive option for patients when used in the appropriate clinical context. Further reports of enterocolic fistulae as a complication of SEMS placement are necessary in order to better understand this potential adverse event.

Management of pediatric patients with refractory constipation who fail cecostomy.

BACKGROUND: Antegrade continence enema (ACE) is a recognized therapeutic option in the management of pediatric refractory constipation. Data on the long-term outcome of patients who fail to improve after an ACE-procedure are lacking. PURPOSE: To describe the rate of ACE bowel management failure in pediatric refractory constipation, and the management and long term outcome of these patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a cohort of patients that underwent ACE-procedure and had at least 3-year-follow-up. Detailed analysis of subsequent treatment and outcome of those patients with a poor functional outcome was performed. RESULTS: 76 patients were included. 12 (16%) failed successful bowel management after ACE requiring additional intervention. Mean follow-up was 66.3 (range 35-95 months) after ACE-procedure. Colonic motility studies demonstrated colonic neuropathy in 7 patients (58%); abnormal motility in 4 patients (33%), and abnormal left-sided colonic motility in 1 patient (9%). All 12 patients were ultimately treated surgically. Nine patients (75%) had marked clinical improvement, whereas 3 patients (25%) continued to have poor function issues at long term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic resection, either segmental or total, led to improvement or resolution of symptoms in the majority of patients who failed cecostomy. However, this is a complex and heterogeneous group and some patients will have continued issues.

Intraoperative small bowel length measurements and analysis of demographic predictors of increased length.

Few studies have measured small bowel length (SBL) in live humans and many textbooks base their "normal" SBL values on cadaver data. Here, we present a series of intraoperative SBL measurements and analyze predictors of increased length. SBL from ligament of Treitz to ileocecal valve was measured in patients undergoing laparotomy for colorectal resection. Patients with Crohn's disease and those who had undergone prior bowel resections were excluded. In the 240 patients studied, mean SBL was 506 ± 105 (285-845) cm. Height was positively associated with increased SBL (P < 0.001) and men had longer SBL than women (533 vs. 482 cm, P < 0.001). A multivariate linear regression model using patient sex, age, height and weight was significant (P = 0.001) and the predictors explained 8% of the variance in SBL. In this model, only height was independently predictive of increased SBL (P = 0.03). Correlation results differed between sexes. In men, height correlated with increased SBL (r = 0.20; P = 0.03), whereas in women it did not. In men, age had a positive correlation with SBL at a trend level (r = 0.17; P = 0.08), whereas in women age had a negative correlation with SBL (r = -0.18; P = 0.04). The mean SBL was 506 cm in live patients, as compared with the 600-700 cm range derived from prior cadaver studies. Male sex and height had positive correlations with SBL. SBL may decrease with age in women but not in men.

The digital rectal examination scoring system (DRESS).

PURPOSE: Assessment of anal sphincter tone is a critical part of anorectal examination, yet no standardized, quantifiable method for describing anal sphincter tone on digital rectal examination exists. We developed a novel scoring system for anal sphincter tone using a scale of 0 to 5 for both resting pressure and squeeze pressure. The score ranges from 0 = no discernable pressure to 5 = extremely tight and 3 = normal. We hypothesized that the digital rectal examination scoring system (DRESS) score would correlate with anorectal manometry pressures. METHODS: Three hundred three patients (mean age, 51 y; range, 28-86 y) who had a DRESS score and a concurrent manometry test (1998-2008) were identified from a prospective database. Means of 4 quadrant manometry at rest and with squeeze were compared with the resting pressure and squeeze pressure DRESS scores at each point from 0 to 5. Box plots for manometry results by DRESS score were graphed. ANOVA using a significance level of α = .05 tested whether each of the DRESS scores were different from one another. Spearman rank correlation coefficients assessed associations between manometry and DRESS results. RESULTS: Manometric pressures (mmHg; mean ± SEM) for DRESS resting pressure values 0 to 5 were 20.6 ± 2.1, 38.5 ± 2.0, 47.8 ± 1.6, 72.3 ± 1.5, 94.4 ± 2.9, and 128.0 ± 6.7, respectively. Pressures for DRESS squeeze pressure values 0 to 5 were 45.9 ± 5.6, 66.5 ± 3.2, 108.2 ± 4.9, 156.3 ± 4.5, 238.6 ± 9.8, and 368.2 ± 49.1. Box plots demonstrated clear differences between each DRESS score and positive progression from 0 to 5 for both resting pressure and squeeze pressure. ANOVA analysis showed a significant difference in mean manometry measurements at all levels of digital rectal examination, both for resting pressure and squeeze pressure (P < .001). Spearman rank correlations showed a strong positive correlation between the DRESS values and manometry pressures with coefficients of 0.82 for resting pressure and 0.81 for squeeze pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The DRESS score correlated very well with manometry pressures for resting pressure and squeeze pressure. The DRESS system may be a useful description of anal sphincter resting pressure and squeeze pressure in the clinical setting. Further validation may support adoption of the DRESS system as part of the standard anorectal examination.

Topical tacrolimus for parastomal pyoderma gangrenosum: a report of two cases.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an idiopathic, ulcerative, inflammatory dermatologic condition that occurs in patients with systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This inflammatory skin disorder is presumably caused by an autoimmune mechanism and the diagnosis is one of exclusion. PG is not a common condition but it is thought to account for approximately 50% of chronic parastomal ulcers. Refractory parastomal PG (PPG) occurs in patients with inactive disease or after bowel resection. Multiple medical treatments, ranging from topical agents for mild disease to systemic immunosuppressive therapy for severe disease, have been used with varying rates of success. Using topical tacrolimus, an immunosuppressant that inhibits T-lymphocyte proliferation, and meticulous stoma care can result in successful treatment. Two women (ages 59 and 62 years) with a history of ulcerative colitis and colon resection presented with parastomal ulcers consistent with PPG. The 59-year patient presented with a painful 2 cm x 2 cm parastomal ulcer that improved following daily application of topical tacrolimus 0.1%. The 62-year old woman first was prescribed daily appliance changes and application of topical triamcinolone 0.5% to her 3-cm ulcer. The ulcer increased in size and treatment was changed to daily application of tacrolimus 0.1%. After 2 months and a reduction in ulcer size and severity, the dosage was changed to daily application of tacrolimus 0.03%. Both patients reported resolution of pain and itching, the most common symptoms of PPG, and no adverse effects were observed. The encouraging results observed in these two cases confirm that tacrolimus helps resolve PPG lesions even at concentrations previously thought to be ineffective. Additional studies to help clinicians optimize care of these painful lesions are needed.

Accuracy of colonoscopic localization.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative colonoscopic localization of colonic lesions. Localization of the colonic lesion plays a key role in determining the type of operation a patient may require. Inaccurate localization may result in removal of the wrong segment of colon and/or a change in the operation performed. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had a colon resection by a single surgeon after preoperative colonoscopic localization between 1991 and 2008 was performed. A comparison of the preoperative colonoscopic localization and the final intraoperative localization was made. Clinical and demographic information was gathered to determine accuracy rates and identify predictive factors. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-four patients were included and 184 (49%) were male. The mean age was 61.6 years. Three hundred and sixty-two (97%) patients underwent colon resection for cancer. Fifteen (4%) patients had nonconcordant colonoscopic and intraoperative findings. Fourteen of the 15 (93%) were resected for cancer and 1 for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Seven (47%) lesions were inaccurately localized in the sigmoid colon, four (27%) in the descending colon, two (13%) in the ascending colon, one (7%) in the rectum, and one (7%) lesion was not visualized preoperatively. Eleven of the 15 (73%) patients with nonconcordant localization had a modification of their planned procedure. Ten patients underwent a different segmental colectomy and one patient had an extended resection. CONCLUSION: Preoperative colonoscopic localization of colorectal lesions was reasonably accurate (96%) in this large series. The majority of inaccurately identified lesions occurred in the sigmoid and descending colon. Erroneous localization, even though not common, can result in significant changes in the intraoperative plan and the ultimate outcome. Therefore, every effort should be made to localize the lesion before surgery, especially when thought to be in the left or sigmoid colon, to reduce the need for intraoperative localization efforts, the need for an intraoperative change in procedure, and the risk of a surprise for the patient after surgery.

Open, intraperitoneal, ventral hernia repair: lessons learned from laparoscopy.

Recent literature suggests that laparoscopic repair of ventral hernias may have very low recurrence rates. However, laparoscopy may not be feasible in certain situations. We describe an open technique that uses the tension-free retrofascial principles of laparoscopic repair without the need for subcutaneous flaps. Through an incision in the hernia, the peritoneum is entered and adhesions are taken down. A piece of DualMesh (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Newark, Del) is trimmed to fit with a 5-cm circumferential overlap. A vertical incision is made in the mid portion of the mesh. The mesh is fixed in an intraperitoneal retrofascial position using GORE-TEX sutures (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc). The sutures are brought through the abdominal wall using a laparoscopic suture passer and tied into place on one side of the mesh. That side is then tacked to the posterior fascia with a spiral tacking device. The other side is sutured into place in a similar fashion and then tacked to the fascia by passing the spiral tacking device through the incision in the mesh. The mesh incision is closed with a running GORE-TEX suture. The overlying tissues are closed in layers.

Paradoxical inflammatory reaction to Seprafilm: case report and review of the literature.

This report describes a paradoxical inflammatory reaction to Seprafilm caused by extensive adhesion formation early in the postoperative period. A female patient had development of small bowel obstruction immediately after an uneventful low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma with placement of Seprafilm. The obstruction did not improve with nonoperative therapy. At laparotomy, extensive adhesions necessitating bowel resection and ileostomy were noted. Pathology results showed a giant cell foreign body reaction to Seprafilm. A literature search yielded only two other instances of adverse reactions to Seprafilm. The information provided by this and other atypical reports suggests that further studies aimed at identifying the incidence and pathophysiological mechanisms for such paradoxical reactions are needed.

Urachal remnant small bowel obstruction: report of two adult cases.

This report describes two separate cases of adult patients with intestinal obstruction caused by an urachal remnant. While reports of infected urachal cysts causing intra-abdominal pathology are not uncommon, intestinal obstruction caused by urachal remnants is exceedingly rare in the pediatric population and has never been described in adults. Both of these patients required surgical intervention with excision of the urachal remnant and subsequent resolution of the small bowel obstruction.

Small bowel obstruction: conservative vs. surgical management.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess incidence, risk factors, and recurrence rates for conservative and surgical management of small bowel obstruction. METHODS: Retrospective chart review was conducted of 329 patients accounting for 487 admissions with small bowel obstruction. Data were obtained from the institutional database and patient charts. Patients with early recurrent small bowel obstruction had prior operations or hospitalization with conservative therapy for small bowel obstruction, then had a hospital stay >10 days following abdominal surgery because of obstruction or required readmission for small bowel obstruction within 30 days. Patients treated for prior small bowel obstruction and then readmitted after 30 days for a recurrent small bowel obstruction were classified as having late recurrent small bowel obstruction. RESULTS: A total of 329 patients with a diagnosis of small bowel obstruction were identified. At index admission, 43 percent (142) were successfully treated conservatively, whereas 57 percent (187) failed conservative treatment and underwent surgery. Overall, there were eight early deaths, four in each group (2.8 percent conservative vs. 2.1 percent surgical; no significant difference). The frequency of recurrence for those treated nonoperatively was 40.5 percent compared with 26.8 percent for patients treated operatively (P < 0.009). Patients treated without operation had a significantly shorter time to recurrence (mean, 153 vs. 411 days; P < 0.004) and had fewer hospital days for their index small bowel obstruction (4.9 vs. 12.0 days; P < 0.0001). Two hundred one (63 percent) patients had abdominal surgery and 119 (37 percent) patients had no prior abdominal surgery before developing a small bowel obstruction. Previous abdominal operations by procedure type were colorectal surgery (34 percent), gynecologic surgery (28 percent), exploratory laparotomy (20 percent), appendectomy (14 percent), cholecystectomy (12 percent), herniorraphy (8 percent), and gastric bypass (5 percent). The mean time interval between initial procedure and index small bowel obstruction was 1.3 years for gastric bypass, 6.1 years for herniorraphy, 7.8 years for exploratory laparotomy, 8 years for cholecystectomy, 8.4 years for colorectal surgery, 11.8 years for gynecologic surgery, and 22.5 years for appendectomy. There was no significant difference between early and late recurrent small bowel obstruction in patients treated nonoperatively or operatively, regardless of prior history of abdominal surgery. Logistic regression analysis failed to identify any specific risk factors that were predictors of the success of conservative or surgical management. CONCLUSIONS: Operatively treated patients had a lower frequency of recurrence and a longer time interval to recurrence; however, they also had a longer hospital stay than that of patients treated nonoperatively. There was no significant difference in treatment type or in incidence or type of prior surgery among patients with early and late small bowel obstruction. None of the variables analyzed in this study were significant predictors of the success of a particular treatment.

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids: outcome after conservative or surgical management.

PURPOSE: Few data exist on the actual recurrence rates of thrombosed external hemorrhoids. We wished to determine the incidence of recurrence, intervals to recurrence, and factors predicting recurrence of thrombosed external hemorrhoids after conservative or surgical management. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-one consecutive patients with thrombosed external hemorrhoids treated from 1990 to 2002 were identified. Recurrence was defined as complete resolution of the index lesion with subsequent return of a thrombosed external hemorrhoid and did not include patients with chronic symptoms. Data were gathered retrospectively. Multiple potential risk factors were reviewed. RESULTS: The index thrombosed external hemorrhoid was managed conservatively in 51.5 percent of cases and surgically in 48.5 percent. There were no differences between groups in gender, age, or race, and 44.5 percent of all patients had a prior history of thrombosed external hemorrhoid. A prior history was less common in the conservative group than in the surgical group (38.1 percent vs. 51.3 percent; P < 0.05). The frequency of pain or bleeding as the primary complaint was higher in the surgical group ( P < 0.001 and P < 0.002). In addition, the surgical group was more likely to report all three symptoms of pain, bleeding, and a lump ( P < 0.005). Mean follow-up was 7.6 months, with the range extending to 7 years. Time to symptom resolution averaged 24 days in the conservative group vs. 3.9 days in the surgical group ( P < 0.0001). The overall incidence to recurrence was 15.6 percent-80.6 percent in the conservative group vs. 19.4 percent in the surgical group. The rate of recurrence in the conservative group was 25.4 percent (4/29; 14 percent were excised) whereas only 6.3 percent of the surgical patients had recurrence ( P < 0.0001). Mean time to recurrence was 7.1 months in the conservative group vs. 25 months in the surgical group ( P < 0.0001). Survival analysis for time to recurrence of thrombosed external hemorrhoid indicated that time to recurrence was significantly longer for the surgical group ( P < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis of multiple factors (including diverticular disease, constipation, straining, benign prostatic hypertrophy, diarrhea, skin tags, history of travel, anoreceptive sex, anal fissures, internal hemorrhoids, and obesity) was performed to determine the outcome of each group. None of these variables were significant predictors of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients whose initial presentation was pain or bleeding with or without a lump were more like to be treated surgically. Surgically treated patients had a lower frequency of recurrence and a longer time interval to recurrence than conservatively treated patients. None of the variables analyzed were significant predictors of a particular treatment, except for a prior history of thrombosed external hemorrhoids, which may represent patient choice. Although most patients treated conservatively will experience resolution of their symptoms, excision of thrombosed external hemorrhoids results in more rapid symptom resolution, lower incidence of recurrence, and longer remission intervals.