Endoscopic hemorrhoidal sclerotherapy using 50% dextrose water: a preliminary report.

Injection sclerotherapy has a prominent role in the treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids. The commonly used sclerosants are not available or very expensive in Nigeria. We prospectively evaluated 50% dextrose water, used as a nonallergenic sclerosant, in the treatment of bleeding internal hemorrhoids. Forty consenting adult patients (median age 50 years [range 35-67]; 22 women) with bleeding hemorrhoids, seen over a 2-year period, were offered injection sclerotherapy with 50% dextrose water. They were assessed for response, tolerance and complications. The duration of symptoms before presentation was 3 months to 15 years. The bleeding stopped after the injection in all patients. No patient needed a repeat procedure. No complication was recorded during follow up which ranged from 2 months to 12 months. We conclude that endoscopic hemorrhoidal sclerotherapy using 50% dextrose water offers a simple, safe and effective modality of treatment if properly utilized.