Novel approach to advanced hemorrhoidal disease.

BACKGROUND: There have been many attempts to find a less painful surgical method of treating hemorrhoids as against those available in standard surgical procedures. A novel technique of hemorrhoidal ablation by radiofrequency is described, which is followed by suture fixation of the hemorrhoidal mass.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This non-randomized, retrospective study describes the clinical outcome of the procedure performed in 1650 patients over a period of 5 years. An Ellman dual frequency radiofrequency generator was used for ablation of hemorrhoids.

RESULTS: The operation time ranged between 6 to 8 minutes. Mean hospital stay was 9 hours. The immediate postoperative complication included retention of urine, wound infection and perianal thrombosis. The mean period of incapacity for work was 10 days. Late complications included development of anal tags, anal papillae and recurrence in 2% patients. There was no incidence of anal stricture or continence disorder.

CONCLUSION: The procedure advocated by the author can be opted as an alternative to conventional surgical procedures. This day care procedure is simple to perform, allows the patients to return to normal activities in a short span of time with lesser pain and has fewer postoperative complications.