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50
S. Shawki et al.
to skilled nursing facilities should also be consid­ered to be high risk.
Surgical Site Infection Prevention
Surgical site infections (SSI) are the most com­mon surgical complications and are associated with increased morbidity, length of stay, and readmissions. Emerging data supports the imple­mentation of bundled evidence-based interven­tions to reduce the risk of SSI.Important bundle elements include: mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation (discussed previously), appro­priate skin preparation, use of wound protectors, and preoperative intravenous antibiotics. Administration of preoperative systemic antibiot­ics has been shown to reduce the incidence of SSI.SCIP guidelines recommend that antibiotics be given within 1h prior to surgical incision and that prophylactic antibiotics be discontinued within 24 h of surgery. In colorectal surgery, appropriate antibiotic selection requires adequate coverage of aerobic and anaerobic ora and while considering a patient’s allergies. Antibiotics need to be re-dosed if the procedure lasts longer than two half-lives of the selected agent. We favor a single dose at induction of anesthesia, re-dosing for longer procedures.
Meticulous skin preparation with an appro­priate agent is another critical component of SSI prevention. A large randomized controlled trial compared Chloraprep (2% chlorhexidine gluconate and 70% isopropyl alcohol) to povidone- iodine in clean-contaminated cases. Patients in the Chloraprep group had signi­cantly lower incidence of supercial and deep SSI.Small randomized controlled trials and a recent meta- analysis have shown that the use of wound-protectors is associated with nearly a 50% reduction in SSI in gastrointestinal sur­gery. Other measures that are recommended to reduce the incidence of SSI, include maintain­ing perioperative normothermia, euglycemia, and euvolemia. To achieve optimal results, it is important to standardize care and incorporate these individual best-practice measures as part of a bundle within an ERP.
Role ofAnesthesia
An anesthesia team can contribute tremendously towards more efcient ERPs, as the team is actively involved in different aspects including preoperative evaluation, attenuation of surgical stress, appropriate uid management, proper analgesia, maintaining acceptable blood glucose level, and pre-emptive treatment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Strategies to pre­vent PONV include: avoiding nitrous oxide and volatile anesthetics, using propofol for induction and maintenance of anesthesia, and minimizing intraoperative opioids. Another key aspect of PONV prevention is the prophylactic treatment with antiemetics such as dexamethasone and ondansetron, especially in patients at high risk for PONV. Another important intraoperative aspect is maintenance of normothermia. Hypothermia induced shivering and associated vasoconstriction trigger body stress response and been associated with increased SSI.Residual post-operative paral­ysis from neuromuscular blockade can be difcult to recognize and has been shown to increase com­plications and ICU admissions. Good communi­cation between the surgery and anesthesia teams about the progression of the case allows for improved timing of the administration of paralyt­ics and reversal agents to minimize any residual post-operative paralysis. In general, ongoing open communication between surgeon and anesthesi­ologist is critical to achieve compliance with ERP measures and prevent complications.
Avoiding Unnecessary Tubes, Drains, andLines
Current literature has shown that the routine use of nasogastric tubes does not prevent post­operative complications such as ileus, anasto­motic leaks, pulmonary complications, or SSI.In fact, avoiding prophylactic placement of naso­gastric tubes (NGT) in gastrointestinal surgery is associated with accelerated regain of bowel func­tion and less pulmonary complications. Early removal of Foley catheters is recommended to reduce postoperative urinary tract infection rates.
6 Enhanced Recovery Pathways inColorectal Surgery
51
For some procedures, the catheter may be removed as early as immediate postoperatively prior to leaving the operating room. Post-void residual monitoring protocols using bladder scan may be used to rule out urinary retention while straight catheterization is used as needed.
C.Postoperative Recovery
Postoperative Analgesia
As discussed above, a comprehensive multi­modal approach to analgesia should start in the pre-operative phase. While preemptive analgesia is started preoperatively, achieving adequate pain control becomes one of the critical milestones for recovery in the postoperative phase. There is a ne line between maintaining adequate pain con­trol, promoting recovery, and patients’ satisfac­tion while preventing side effects, tolerance, and abuse. The main goal of multimodal pain man­agement strategies is to adequately control pain while minimizing the use of opioids. There are a variety of non-opioid bases strategies that can be incorporated in this approach including: Acetaminophen, NSAIDs, gabapentinoids, sys­temic lidocaine, anti-NMDA agents such as Ketamine, wound inltration with local anesthet­ics, abdominal trunk blocks, and spinal or epi­dural anesthesia. Thoracic epidural analgesia (TEA) has been shown by some studies to pro­vide improved pain control while decreasing the need for systemic opioids and accelerate gastro­intestinal recovery, but only if those epidurals are opioid-free. Many published ERPs and guide­lines include TEA as a cornerstone of multimodal pain management. However, randomized con­trolled trials have shown that within the context of an ERP, TEA does not result in earlier dis­charges or decreased complications. In fact, in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, studies have shown that in the context of an ERP, TEA actu­ally delays hospital discharge and increases the risk for complications such as urinary retention and hypotension. In our practice, epidurals are only used selectively in patients undergoing open surgery based on patient history of chronic opioid
use or patient preference. For both laparoscopic and open procedures, our routine post-op order sets include around the clock acetaminophen PO, ketorolac IV (transitioned to ibuprofen PO on day 2), gabapentin PO, and as needed oxycodone PO or hydromorphone IV.Systemic patient con­trolled analgesia (PCA) with hydromorphone is used selectively, in patients requiring frequent IV breakthrough medications and discontinued as soon as tolerated. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are continued after discharge with oxycodone for breakthrough pain, with the instruction to wean off narcotics as soon as possible.
Intravenous Fluid Management
Judicious administration of intravenous uids continues in the postoperative phase, with data indicating that restricting intravenous uids to less than 2L/day is associated with faster recov­ery of gastrointestinal function, increased gastric emptying, and overall less morbidity and LOS.With the demonstrated safety and feasibil­ity of early oral intake, ERPs allow for decreased intravenous uid usage. Most patients who are tolerating ad lib oral liquids on postoperative day one should not require any supplemental uids. On the other hand, in patients who develop a post-operative ileus with nausea and vomiting, or high stoma output, excessive uid losses should be judiciously repleted. Unless otherwise indi­cated, intravenous uids should be minimized or stopped within postoperative day 1–2.
Early Oral Feeding
While traditionally, patients were kept fasting postoperatively until demonstrating return of bowel function, ERPs have dramatically changed post-operative care by allowing early initiation of postoperative diet. Early postoperative feeding has been shown to be safe and feasible in about 70–90% of patients without increasing the risk of aspiration pneumonia. Furthermore, early feeding seems to decrease insulin resistance, hyperglyce­mia, and wound infection rates. Early restarting
52
S. Shawki et al.
oral intake within rst day of surgery has been integrated in many institutional ERPs without delay in discharge. It is important to bear in mind that nausea, vomiting, and postoperative ileus still occur in a proportion of patients, generally in the order of 5–10%. Patients need to be monitored for these symptoms and in cases of ileus with signi­cant gastric distention, management with prompt nasogastric tube insertion is required.
Early Ambulation
Early mobilization and ambulation is an important step in accelerating postoperative recovery and is a critical component of ERPs. Early ambulation is also a marker of success of the program due to suc­cessful preoperative patient preparation and proper pain control. It promotes early return of bowel function and prevents pulmonary complications, reduced work capacity, and loss of muscle mass associated with prolonged bed rest. Patient com­pliance and motivation can be improved by setting out daily goals in the preoperative phase that are then reinforced with posters or signs on the ward.
Postoperative Ileus: Prevention andTreatment
Postoperative ileus, characterized by a transitory cessation of normal bowel function, is one of the most common complications following colorectal surgery resulting in prolongation of hospital stays and readmissions. Despite a lack of an accepted uniform denition for what constitutes a POI or prolonged POI, it is estimated that it occurs in approximately 10–15% of patients undergoing colorectal surgery. POI is a signicant cause of healthcare expenditure, accounting for approxi­mately $750 million per year. Many of the impor­tant components of ERPs described above aim to enhance and accelerate recovery by reducing the incidence of POI. Minimally invasive surgery, early post-op mobilization and nutrition, opioid sparing strategies, and avoiding uid overload have all been shown to accelerate recovery of
bowel function. There is conicting data on whether gum chewing accelerates return of bowel function and decreases LOS in the context of an ERP.However, some benet was noted with gum chewing and it is an inexpensive and well tolerated intervention. In terms of pharmacological inter­ventions, despite laxatives (such as bisacodyl and magnesium oxide) and prokinetic agents (such as metoclopramide and erythromycin) frequently being used for the prevention and treatment of POI, data are limited and no impact on LOS was demonstrated. Randomized controlled trials evalu­ating alvimopan, a peripheral- acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist, have shown a decrease in the time to return of gastrointestinal function and a decrease in POI and LOS after open colorectal sur­gery with a primary anastomosis. These benets have been shown to offset the cost associated with the drug and in fact result in overall signicantly decreased hospital expenditures. While some ret­rospective studies support the use of Alvimopan in laparoscopic bowel resections, there is no convinc­ing evidence that it is benecial and cost-effective in laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the context of an ERP. Thus, we use alvimopan for patients undergoing segmental resection, and give a single dose to laparoscopic patients at high risk of con­version to open surgery, stopping the medication if the operation is completed laparoscopically.
As discussed previously, there is no role for nasogastric tube insertion as a preemptive mea­sure to prevent PONV or POI.However, for the treatment of POI, nasogastric decompression and short-term bowel rest are established measures to comfort the patient and avoid aspiration.
Discharge Planning, Follow-Up, andCoordination ofCare
Integral to any ERP are clearly formulated dis­charge criteria that are understood by the patients and all care providers, including trainees and nurses. In this way, patients are continuously evaluated for discharge readiness as early as on the rst day after surgery. Discharge criteria for open and laparoscopic surgery are identical.
6 Enhanced Recovery Pathways inColorectal Surgery
53
Patients should be discharged when they are tol­erating a diet, pain is controlled with oral medi­cations, vital signs are stable, bowel function (including stoma output) is appropriate, and any home going needs have been addressed. Careful preoperative evaluation of frailty allows for the identication of patients at risk for increased nursing and rehabilitation needs at discharge. Arranging post-discharge care pre-operatively, can help prevent any prolongation of hospitaliza­tions for these high risk patients. For all patients, it is important to establish follow-up appoint­ments and coordination of care with primary and other involved healthcare providers prior to dis­charge. Post-discharge phone calls can help iden­tify patients who would benet from earlier follow-up to address questions or complications that can be addressed in the ambulatory setting and thereby prevent emergency room visits and readmissions.
D.Quality Pathway Evaluation Measures
Various members and teams contribute to patient care include surgeons, anesthesiologists, resi­dents, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, ostomy and wound care team, physical therapy, and social workers. One important method to ensure efcient process ow while eliminating variability and facilitating compli­ance with an ERP is the utilization of electronic medical records. The capability of creating order set(s) during many phases of patient care, pro­vides a reproducible blueprint that is a key in maintaining consistent, standardized care. Compliance with the designed ERP and optimi­zation of individual measures within the ERP depend on continuous audit of processes and out­comes. Especially for newly designed ERPs, monitoring of outcomes and costs associated with the pathway are critical to demonstrate the value to patients, physicians, and the institution. Participation in quality improvement projects, such as the well-described American College of Surgeons (ACS) national quality improvement project (NSQIP), has been shown to signicantly
reduce morbidity and mortality. The Enhanced Recovery in NSQIP (ERIN) is a new collabora­tive to help teams implement colorectal pathways including measures such as multimodal analge­sia, early nutrition and ambulation, and goal directed uid management. Besides participant “buy-in” to allow for pathway implementation, sustainability is just as important in achieving long-term enhanced value through ERPs. Audit with continual monitoring and analysis of out­comes is essential to maintain the improvements that are provided by ERPs. Compliance with the individual pathway elements needs to be moni­tored, analyzed, and corrected as needed. The most important outcomes that need to be mea­sured are LOS, perioperative complications (using a standardized scoring system such as the Clavien-Dindo classication), and readmissions. The safety and efcacy of ERPs has been demon­strated in numerous randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses. It is critical for each institu­tion and surgical team to demonstrate that the implemented pathway replicates the results observed in trials and to optimize processes based on real-life data.

Conclusion

A successful surgical practice relies on the deliv­ery of patient-centered, high-quality care, prompting the need to integrate all elements of perioperative patient care, eliminate variability of practice, and engage patients and their care­givers in the effort to improve outcomes. ERPs are a multimodal and interdisciplinary evidence­based approach resulting in standardization of patient care, minimizing variability, and maxi­mizing efciency and value. Well-designed ERPs cover the whole health care episode, and result in a reduction in morbidity and mortality, decreased length of hospital stay without an increase in readmission rates. Accomplishing these goals directly benets not only patients but also helps to improve the efciency with which healthcare is provided by decreasing length of hospital stay (LOS) and costs associated with complications.
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Hematochezia andMelena
AnjaliS.Kumar andJenniferAyscue
7

Refer to Algorithm in Fig. 7.1

Types andAssessment (Table 7.1)
A. Melena
Melena is dened as the passage of black or tarry stools. The black color of melena is a result of the oxidizing effects of the intestinal and bacterial enzymes on heme that produce hematin. This nding can occur with the loss of as little as 50ml of blood and can persist for as long as 5days after the actual bleeding event. Stool could remain positive for occult blood several weeks after a bleeding episode. Melena can be associated with blood loss anywhere along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract from the mouth to the ascending colon. Black stools may also result from iron intake, con­sumption of dyes, such as tannins in red wine or the reaction of intestinal contents with bis­muth in over-the-counter chewable antacids.
B. Minor/Moderate Hematochezia
Hematochezia (Greek haima = blood, chez(ein) to defecate) means the passage of bright red, easily identiable blood or blood clots from the anus. Sometimes hematochezia
A. S. Kumar (*) Department of Medical Education and Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, USA
J. Ayscue MedStar Colorectal Surgery Program, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA
and melena are interchanged mistakenly and can lead to confusion regarding the proper meaning of these terms.
We divide acute hematochezia into “severe” and “moderate” bleeding because the management of these patients differs.
Anoscopy is a crucial part of the initial evaluation. If the patient is young with a recent onset of hematochezia consisting of “wipe” bleeding or blood in the toilet with bowel movements and symptoms attributable to hemorrhoids or an anal ssure, it is reason­able to begin a trial of conservative therapy appropriate to the diagnosis (see Fig. 7.2, below). In the absence of pathology seen on anoscopy, an in-ofce rigid proctoscopy can be performed after administration of an enema. Some ofces are equipped with in­ofce endoscopy, in which case a exible sig­moid proctoscopy can be considered. If these in-ofce attempts fail to declare a source of bleeding, the patient should be set up for an elective colonoscopy +/ upper endoscopy.
C. Severe Hematochezia. +/ Hematemesis
For the purposes of this discussion, “severe” bleeding means that the patient bleeds more than 1500ml in 24h or has signs of shock on admission. These patients have a risk of exsanguination.
Resuscitation of the patient is imperative to prevent shock. After resuscitation, it is often possible to continue with diagnostic
© Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 S. R. Steele etal. (eds.), Clinical Decision Making in Colorectal Surgery,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65942-8_7
55
56
Clean base
Flat spot
Adherent Clot
Active bleeding
Ulcer Characteristics
Prevalence Rate
Rebleeding Rate
Surgery Rate
Mortality Rate
A. S. Kumar and J. Ayscue
Clean base
Flat spot
Adherent clot
Visible vessel
Active bleeding
Fig. 7.1 Ulcer characteristics and correlations
Table 7.1 Types of anorectal, lower gastrointestinal, small bowel bleeding and melena and evaluation
Risk assessment at presentation Evaluation (in this order) Melena
[A]
Minor/moderate hematochezia [B]
Severe hematochezia [C]
42%
20%
17%
17%
18%
1. History and physical exam
2. Colonoscopy
3. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
4. Enteroscopy
1. History and Physical Exam
2. Anoscopy
3. In-ofce proctoscopy (rigid or exible)
4. Colonoscopy
1. Fluid/blood product resuscitation to point of hemodynamic stability
2. History and Physical Exam
3. Nasogastric Tube (NGT) Lavage Test
4. EGD
5. Colonoscopy (rapid prep)
6. Enteroscopy
5%
10%
22%
43%
55%
0.5%
6%
10%
34%
35%
2%
3%
7%
11%
11%
maneuvers. However, it may be necessary to proceed with the diagnostic procedures at the same time as the resuscitation if the bleeding continues. Fortunately, colorectal bleeding seldom leads to an uncontrollable situation and will stop spontaneously in about 70–80% of cases; therefore, generally there is time for diagnosis and treatment.
Along with the standard clinical examina­tion, if there is no perineal pain, it is manda­tory to perform anoscopy and rigid proctoscopy after an enema.
History can elicit if the patient has previ­ously experienced hematochezia (consider chronic causes), prior diarrhea (consider inammatory bowel disease) or has known liver disease with impaired coagulation. Use of anticoagulant therapy or nonsteroidal anti­inammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are all impor­tant clues to the etiology and possible therapeutic options. Dates and ndings of the last endoscopy performed are useful.
In the case of a patient with a known aortic aneurysm repair who has severe hematemesis,
7 Hematochezia andMelena
57
prompt attention by the vascular surgery ser­vice may be lifesaving.
Upper endoscopy should be performed if clinically indicated and technically feasible. At the very least, a nasogastric tube should be inserted and bilious non-bloody drainage conrmed. If the colonoscopy fails to reveal the site of bleeding and the bleeding has stopped, a lavage-type (i.e., rapid) bowel preparation can be given and a more thorough colonoscopy is repeated either later the same day or the next day.

Refer to Algorithm in Fig. 7.2

Melena Caused by Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding
D. Pre-malignant/Malignant Lesion (Found on
Endoscopy)
Endoscopy may reveal a bleeding polyp, or a gastric, duodenal or small bowel neopla­sia. While small polyps may be amenable to endoscopic treatment alone, malignant pathology will require biopsy, staging work up, multidisciplinary tumor board discussion and consideration of treatment options (neo­adjuvant therapy, surgery, adjuvant therapy) as appropriate for the lesion.
E. Variceal
Massive hematemesis due to esophageal varices is, perhaps, the most dreaded sequela of portal hypertension. Overall, ~90% present with hematemesis. This problem most com­monly occurs secondary to hepatic cirrhosis, although it may also be due to pre- and post­hepatic obstructive phenomenon. As always, initial stabilization of the patient is the rst goal, and often requires a signicant transfu­sion requirement. Patient mortality with an acute bleed from esophageal varices approaches 50%. This high fatality is related not only to the severity of the bleeding but also to the underly­ing nutritional, hepatic and pulmonary dys­function encountered in these patients.
Therapy is guided by endoscopic evalua­tion of the varices since as many as half of the
patients with known cirrhosis and active GI bleeding have sources of hemorrhage other than their varices at the time of acute GI bleeding. Control of the hemorrhage can be accomplished using endoscopic techniques, systemic pitressin therapy, beta-blockade, placement of a Sengstaken Blakemore tube, or utilization of a trans-jugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).
Surgical options include a nonselective end to side portocaval shunt, which is techni­cally simpler but has a high incidence of encephalopathy or a side to side portocaval or mesocaval shunt. Options to be considered in the more elective setting include distal sple­norenal shunts with total pancreatic discon­nection in patients with adequate liver reserve, and liver transplantation in carefully selected patients with poor liver function.
F. Non-variceal
The most common cause of upper GI bleeding are peptic ulcer disease (PUD) 45%. Esophageal varices is 20%, gastritis is 20%, and Mallory-Weiss tear is 10%
PUD affects approximately ten million Americans. It is most common in male smok­ers between the ages of 20 and 60 years.
Gastric ulcers are mostly related to muco­sal barrier breakdown. Types (1) normal fun­dic ulcer, (2) gastric and duodenal ulcer, (3) pre-pyloric ulcer, (4) juxto-cardiac ulcer. Approximately 85% of ulcers will improve with conservative medical treatment. However, it is important to obtain biopsies and washings as well as to consider re-endos­copy to conrm healing in any questionable lesion since 10% of ulcers are malignant. Medical management should also include treatment for H. pylori.
Endoscopic treatment should control 90% of these lesions.
Medical treatment includes H2 histamine blockers, volume resuscitation correction of coagulation defects, and careful hemody­namic monitoring. Patients who should be considered for surgical intervention include those whose initial bleeding episode lead to syncope or hypotension, persistent slow
58
Angiography with
embolization (P)
Therapeutic
colonoscopy (if
pathology is
localized to
colon)
Positive test,
pathology localized
CT angiogram (P),
radionuclide scan
(O) (may repeat this
if bleeding is
intermittent
Segmental
resection (Q)
A. S. Kumar and J. Ayscue
Continued instability
despite resuscitation,
rigid proctoscopy +
total abdominal
colectomy, end
ileostomy(Q)
Consider
gastrointestinal (GI)
source (D)
Esophagogastroduo-
denoscopy
(EGO) confirms upper
Hematemesis
present or
nasogastric tube
(NGT) lavage with
blood (C)
duodenoscopy (post
pylorus evaluation),
Continued bleeding
Patient stable
endoscopy, upper
No lesion
encountered
GI contrast studies
(N)
Colonoscopy
Bleeding stops
No hematemesis
NGT bilious
without blood (C)
Address lesion
Lesion encountered
after rapid prep (M)
Severe
hematochezia
causing
hemodynamic
instability (C)
Fig. 7.2 Algorithm severe hematochezia causing hemodynamic instability. NGT nasogastric tube
7 Hematochezia andMelena
59
bleeding lasting >24h while on appropriate treatments, loss of >1500ml of blood during an 8-h period, requirement of >6 units of blood, a second acute episode while in the hospital or the endoscopic presence of predic­tors of high-risk re-bleeding (Table 7.1). Within this latter category are a giant duode­nal ulcer >2cm, a visible vessel with a clot, or active bleeding not amenable to endo­scopic control.
Vagotomy should be added to treatment of
Type II and Type III gastric ulcers.
Gastritis is commonly associated with shock, sepsis, burns (Curling’s ulcer) and CNS problems (Cushing’s ulcers). Although gastritis was once a common and often lethal problem in the ICU setting, its incidence has decreased due to the prophylactic use of ant­acids and enteral nutritional support.
Mallory Weiss tears are longitudinal tears in the gastric mucosa at the level of the GE junction most often related to forceful eme­sis. Average length of the tear is 2cm. 15% of patients may have 2 or more tears. These lesions most often stop spontaneously and the associated mortality in non-cirrhotic patients is essentially 0%.
Angiodysplasia, which is synonymous with arteriovenous malformation and vascu­lar ectasia, can be found in 2% of individuals older than 50. The bleeding, which comes from venule dilation, is responsible for 30% of all colon bleeds. Almost 80% of these vas­cular malformations are found in the right colon, but they can also be found in the small bowel in younger patients. There is an asso­ciation with aortic stenosis and von Willebrand disease
G. Mass
Hemangiomas and leiomyomas are the most common masses responsible for bleed­ing. Other less likely etiologies include lipo­mas, broadenomas, hamartomas, sarcomas and adenocarcinomas. Regardless, these masses usually require operative resection after appropriate preoperative staging and therapy.
Refer toTable 7.3
Hematochezia Caused by Anorectal Bleeding
H. Pruritus
Anal itching, or perineal dermatologic disorders, can cause minor anorectal bleed­ing. The diagnosis is usually one of exclu­sion. In severe cases, a biopsy may be needed to rule out more sinister pathology. Typically, non-operative interventions such as changes in diet and hygiene, barrier creams or short­course topical anti-inammatory agents will diminish the bleeding.
I. Fissure
Anal ssures are usually associated with pain; yet in some cases, chronic ssures can manifest as bleeding without in the absence of pain. The bleeding, however, is typically associated with bowel movements, though when it occurs between bowel movements, it is usually self-limited. Treatment for anal s­sures is covered in Chap. 10 of this book, for the purposes of the bleeding workup, as with the other anorectal pathologies discussed below, it is critical to rule out a more proxi­mal source.
J. Anal Mass
Warts (i.e., condyloma) can be friable at the base, and are not necessarily associated with pain, but will be palpable on digital examination. HPV-related precancerous lesions are typically not associated with masses and will also not bleed, but the inva­sive type will result in a mass-effect and occasionally bleeding.
K. Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoidal disease can bleed without pain or masses (Table 7.4 and Fig.7.2). It is important to distinguish rectal varices due to cirrhosis from hemorrhoids before any ofce-based procedures (such as banding) are considered.
L. Proctitis
Inammation of the rectal wall can cause bleeding. This can be caused by infection