ANORECTAL OPERATIVE PROCEDURES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE AVOIDANCE OF PAIN

Abstract

A statistical report recently published by a large insurance company gives the incidence of hemorrhoidal disease as one fifteenth of the total population of the United States. If these individual case records were carefully studied it is highly probable that many allied conditions of the anorectum were included in the original survey. In part, at least, this report gives evidence of the frequency of the disease. It is not my purpose in this presentation to discuss the prevention of hemorrhoidal disease although it may be said that much has been accomplished in respect to education of persons, especially the young, as to the value of a regular daily evacuation, a well balanced diet, the avoidance of drastic cathartics and periodic complete examination. For treatment, conservative measures may be employed with satisfaction, but in the vast majority of anorectal disorders surgical intervention is required. Rectal operations enjoy an unenviable reputation for