Proctology

Treatment of haemorrhoids with a diode laser and the HAL-RAR ultrasound method

What are haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are quite a delicate, but widespread problem among men and women. More and more young people also tend to suffer from this disease. Haemorrhoids are a disease that results in enlarged veins of the rectal haemorrhoidal structures. The haemorrhoid disease is dangerous as it can cause not only pain, but also various complications (thrombosis, iron deficiency anaemia, haemorrhoidal nodule prolapse).

The sooner you speak with a specialist, the easier to deal with this disease.

What are the symptoms?

Initial signs of haemorrhoids may go unnoticed: the haemorrhoidal nodules become enlarged, and you may feel discomfort followed by itching and burning sensation near the anus. Later, blood may appear during bowel movement, as well as strong pain, haemorrhoidal prolapse, and bleeding.

How can we help?

iVF Riga offers a non-invasive, contactless method for haemorrhoid treatment with the latest generation diode laser that operates at 940 nm frequency and has 25 to 30 watt power.

The laser treatment helps in haemorrhoidal mucosa and sub-mucosal edge adhesion, i.e. by closing the vessels and reducing the tissue of haemorrhoidal nodules by “pulling them in”. This method can be used for Stage I, II and initial Stage III haemorrhoidal disease. With laser surgery, no sutures are needed for the wound. Moreover, the post-operative period is much shorter. The infection risk is not possible, as this method is 100% contactless. This method is also used to treat anal fissures and peri-anal dermatitis, and to remove polyps, papillomas, condylomas, etc.

How does the treatment take place?

The manipulation is performed in temporary intravenous anaesthesia and takes approximately 20 minutes. A few minutes after its completion, the patient recovers from the anaesthesia. After approximately an hour at the outpatient facility, the patient may return home. (However, no driving is recommended after the anaesthesia.)

What you should know about the post-operative period?

After the laser surgery, there is no pain, or only a slight discomfort for 2 to 3 weeks. Slight smearing usually disappears in 1 to 2 weeks. Usually, no analgesics are needed (if still needed, only for 1 to 2 days). You may continue as usual, go to work and enjoy normal food.

However, we recommend the following:

• For 2 weeks after the manipulation, stay close to a city or an area where medical facilities are available
• For 2 to 3 weeks choose a mild diet to avoid constipation (prefer foods rich is fibre, eat small portions, and drink at least 1,5 litres of fluids per day)
• Limit physical activities (for 2 to 3 weeks do not lift more than 5 kg)
• Limit lengthy sitting for 2 to 3 weeks, if you sit during work take breaks
• No bath or hot tub are recommended during the healing process

The first follow-up visit takes place 1 to 2 weeks, and the next 6 weeks after the manipulations.

Operation with the HAL-RAR ultrasound method

This method is used for more severe stages of the haemorrhoidal disease, namely, Stage III and Stage IV. This is the least invasive therapy for the most complicated cases.

How does the HAL-RAR procedure take place?

During the surgery, under the control of an ultrasound doppler probe the arteries supplying the haemorrhoidal nodules are ligated to block any blood supply to them.

Gradually, these nodules reduce in size and disappear.

If haemorrhoidal prolapse has occurred, the HAL-RAR method ensures that they are “pulled back” into the anal canal.

As this method is more invasive, the post-operative period may last longer for up to 3 weeks. Analgesics may be required.

Please note that these manipulations do not change the anatomy of the anal canal. The pain fully disappears 3 weeks after the manipulation.

Women during pregnancy may also book an appointment with a proctologist if haemorrhoids have developed during this period of time.