[Ambulatory treatment of hemorrhoids]

DGHAL (Doppler Guided Hemorrhoid Arterial Ligation) represents a new approach to the treatment of internal hemorrhoids; it entails exact and selective ligation of the arteries supplying the piles (hemorrhoids). The intervention can be performed on ambulatory patients under local anaesthesia. An anoscope is used which incorporates a Doppler head. The superior hemorrhoidal arteries are identified under guidance of the arterial Doppler sound and ligated through a window located just above the Doppler head. The intervention lasts some 30 minutes. Local discomfort can ensue for a few days following surgery. At one month, the time required for the internal haemorrhoids to fade away, the patient is seen again; an external hemorrhoid or residual skintag can then be considered for treatment under local anaesthesia if needed. As of November 2001 until today, more than 350 patients have been treated, and we report here on 150 of them. Long term data (6 months to 2 years) have been collected which includes 85 to 90% patient satisfaction.