The Laser Therapy for Hemorrhoidal Disease: A Prospective Study.

AIM: This prospective study aimed to determine the outcomes and postoperative complications of hemorrhoid disease (HD) treated by hemorrhoidal laser procedure (HeLP).

BACKGROUND: We, herein report the results of 18 months of methodical use of mini-invasive laser procedures in 100 patients with grades 2 and 3 hemorrhoids and minimum to a mild degree of rectal prolapse. The surgical technique is called HeLP.

METHODS: Data were collected on the duration of the procedure, intraoperative complications, postoperative pain, the declivity of hemorrhoids, persistency or complete resolution, and recurrence of hemorrhoids were collected prospectively.

RESULTS: No evidence of intraoperative complications occurred. The median follow-up was nine months. Postoperative pain was not significant or null in most patients. There was no rectal tenesmus or alteration of defecation habits. Plateau of hemorrhoid symptoms and downgrading of hemorrhoid size reached approximately three to seven months post-procedure. The frequency of pain, bleeding, pruritus ani, and acute hemorrhoidal syndrome decreased by 75-80%. There was a significant reduction in hemorrhoids with the rate of recurrence being 7% over 12 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION: Our study evaluated and demonstrated that HeLP is an effective, safe, and non-painful procedure for the management of patients with the symptomatic second or third degree of hemorrhoid with mild to the minimum degree of rectal mucosal prolapse. It is a suitable ambulatory treatment.