Laser treatment of solitary rectal ulcers

Fourteen cases of histologically proven benign solitary rectal ulcer were m anaged with Neodymium: Yttrium-Aluminium-Gamet(Nd: YAG) laser (contact mode ) over a three-year period. All patients were symptomatic at presentation ( bleeding, mucus or pus discharge per rectum, with or without diarrhoea). Th irteen of the 14 (93%) were relieved of symptoms after a mean of 2.3 sittin gs of laser (range 1-8). None of the patients had associated rectal prolaps e. Successfully treated patients have been followed up for a mean of 14.2 m onths (two to 25 months) and are symptom free. There was minimal morbidity and no death. Nd:YAG laser excision of benign solitary rectal ulcers is a s afe, new and patient-friendly technique.