Radioablation and suture fixation of advanced grades of hemorrhoids. An effective alternative to staplers and Doppler guided ligation of hemorrhoids

Abstract

Background: for advance grades of symptomatic hemorrhoids (grade III and IV) the author has innovated a procedure called radiofrequency ablation and fixation of hemorrhoids. The procedure is performed as a day care surgery. Patients and methods: the surgical technique and clinical follow-up of patients operated by this technique are presented. An Ellman dual frequency radiofrequency generator was used for ablation, which was followed by suture fixation of the hemorrhoids. Patient satisfaction score was assessed using a visual analogue scale. The results of this procedure are presented and are compared with the results of published data of stapled hemorrhoidopexy and Doppler guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation procedures. Results: between 1998 and 2005, 2,376 patients were operated with this technique. Patient's mean age was 34 years and 1,438 patients were males. The postoperative complication rate was 3.5%, which included secondary bleeding, retention of urine and perianal thrombosis. The recurrence rate was less than 1.5%. The satisfaction score was 9.2 on VAS. Conclusions: radiofrequency ablation and fixation of hemorrhoids is a technique that results in less postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and early return to normal activity. It seems to be a better alternative to stapled hemorrhoidopexy or Doppler guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation with regard to effectiveness and symptomatic relief on long term. Copyright © 2006 Arán Ediciones, S. L.