Yoga Effective Against Complications of Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy

April 17, 2008 (Philadelphia) — Adverse effects of stapled hemorrhoidectomy may be mitigated by having patients perform certain bowel-strengthening yoga exercises, according to a study presented here at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons 2008 Annual Scientific Session and Postgraduate Course.

Many people older than 40 years develop hemorrhoids, and for some, the bleeding becomes so serious that surgery is needed. Although stapled hemorrhoidectomies are almost entirely effective in dealing with this bleeding, patients can still have pain and itching for some time after the procedure. Even more bothersome for some is the inability to differentiate between the urge to pass flatus and the urge to pass feces. This lack of discrimination can often lead to soiling and extreme embarrassment.

Brij Agarwal, MD, MBBS, MS, and Krishan Mahajan, MD, from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi, India, attempted to determine whether certain bowel-strengthening yoga exercises could help patients avoid such adverse effects after stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Dr. Agarwal also holds a diploma in yoga from the Central Yoga Institute in India, which makes him perhaps the only laparoscopic surgeon who is also a certified yoga master…

Read more at Medscape