Combining traditional and modern medicine in the treatment of rectal diseases

In recent times, the field of anorectal surgery in Vietnam has witnessed the widespread application of advanced treatment techniques in the world such as laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery, opening up many modern and diverse treatment opportunities for patients.

However, along with that development, the combination of traditional medicine and modern medicine in diagnosis and treatment becomes an urgent requirement for comprehensive development, meeting the increasing health care needs of the people.

Prof. Trinh Thi Dieu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Traditional Medicine Management ( Ministry of Health ) spoke at the event.

At the 13th National Anorectal Scientific Conference with the theme "Advances in diagnosis and treatment of anorectal diseases, combining modern medicine and traditional medicine" organized by the Vietnam Anorectal Association on October 11, Prof. Trinh Thi Dieu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Department of Traditional Medicine and Pharmacy Management (Ministry of Health ) emphasized the strong development of Vietnamese traditional medicine in the new situation.

The smooth combination of traditional medicine and modern medicine has contributed to improving the quality of medical examination and treatment, promoting training, enhancing research and effectively applying new methods.

Recently, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW with breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of people's health, including the requirement to improve the quality of traditional medicine to be on par with countries with developed traditional medicine.

Then, on September 15, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Directive 25/CT-TTg to promote the development of Vietnamese traditional medicine in the new period. These decisions demonstrate the deep concern of the Party and State in the face of the increasing and complex demand for medical examination and treatment.

According to Associate Professor, Associate Professor Le Manh Cuong, President of the Vietnam Association of Colorectal Surgery, Director of Tue Tinh Hospital, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine, in recent years, Vietnamese traditional medicine has achieved many encouraging achievements.

The medical examination and treatment system has been invested in and upgraded, the traditional medicine network at the grassroots level has been strengthened and strongly developed, medical examination and treatment services are increasingly diverse and quality has been clearly improved.

However, besides those achievements, there are still many limitations, the risk of falling behind countries with developed traditional medicine in the region and the world is something that cannot be ignored.

Associate Professor, Associate Professor, Associate Professor Le Manh Cuong also pointed out that the current treatment of anorectal diseases still has errors in diagnosis and treatment, leading to a number of complications and sequelae that seriously affect the quality of life of patients.

Therefore, limiting sequelae and improving treatment effectiveness by combining traditional medicine and modern medicine is an urgent requirement that needs to be implemented synchronously and seriously.

Anorectal diseases are common in Vietnam, accounting for 20-30% of the population and are showing a clear trend of rejuvenation. Previously, people with hemorrhoids were usually over 40 years old, but now the number of young patients is increasing, even some are just over 10 years old.

Unscientific living habits such as defecating while playing on the phone, reading stories along with spicy food are identified as the leading causes of this disease. Although scientists around the world have not yet determined the main cause of the disease, stress is considered the main risk factor leading to anorectal diseases, especially hemorrhoids and anal fissures.

The conference held many reporting sessions with topics updating advances in diagnosis and treatment of anorectal diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fistula, chronic enteritis, and introduced endoscopic surgery methods, laser applications in the treatment of anal fistula, rectal prolapse, sphincter reconstruction and many new techniques to improve the quality of life for patients.

Speaking at the Conference, Dr. Le Van Cuong, Director of Thanh Hoa Department of Health, Member of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Association of Colorectal Surgery, emphasized the increasingly important role of the specialty in public health care.

In Thanh Hoa, many modern techniques such as endoscopic surgery and digestive surgery have been effectively implemented. The Association actively organizes training courses, seminars, technology transfer and scientific research associated with practice.

This conference is not only a prestigious forum gathering domestic and foreign experts to update knowledge, share experiences and introduce new techniques, but also an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between medical facilities, hospitals, universities and professional associations, contributing to the development orientation of the anorectal profession in Thanh Hoa and nationwide, towards improving the quality of medical examination and treatment and deeply integrating with regional and world medicine.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/ket-hop-y-hoc-co-truyen-va-hien-dai-trong-dieu-tri-benh-ly-truc-trang-d409835.html