Hemorrhoids are a common medical problem that is often considered as benign. The French Society of Colo-Proctology (Société nationale française de colo-proctologie [SNFCP]) recently revised its recommendations for the management of hemorrhoids (last issued in 2001), based on the literature and consensual expert opinion. We present a short report of these recommendations. Briefly, medical treatment, including dietary fiber, should always be proposed in first intention and instrumental treatment only if medical treatment fails, except in grade ≥III prolapse. Surgery should be the last resort, and the patient well informed of the surgical alternatives, including the possibility of elective ambulatory surgery, if appropriate. Postoperative pain should be prevented by the systematic implementation of a pudendal block and multimodal use of analgesics.

A combined approach with infliximab induction, two surgical sphincter-sparing steps and methotrexate is effective in achieving short-term response in severe fistulizing anoperineal CD. The best maintenance regimen remains to be determined.

Providing that adequate intraoperative exposure is obtained and advanced malignant tumors receive immediate secondary treatment, transanal resection of clinically benign, large rectal villous adenomas is safe and effective. It is an alternative to rectal resection, which exposes the patient to potentially adverse effects, and also to destructive procedures, which preclude any histologic evaluation of the tumor.

Low transsphincteric anal fistula can be treated by fistulotomy without clinically significant continence disturbance. Treating high transsphincteric anal fistulae with two-stage fistulotomy is followed by mild continence disturbance. Satisfaction rates were high.

Complications of open haemorrhoidectomy were infrequent. Anal continence was not altered. Comfort and well-being were significantly improved at 1 year after surgery. Patient satisfaction was high despite residual anal symptoms.