Evaluating Laser Haemorrhoidoplasty as a Short-Term Approach to Advanced Haemorrhoidal Disease

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Minimally Invasive Procedures
• Anorectal Conditions

Background:

• Hemorrhoids significantly impact patient quality of life.
• Conventional treatments for advanced hemorrhoidal disease carry risks of complications.
• Laser haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) presents a less invasive, non-excisional alternative with potentially fewer complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the short-term functional outcomes of Laser haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP).
• To assess the impact of LHP on symptom severity in patients with Grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 57 patients undergoing LHP for symptomatic Grade 3 and 4 hemorrhoids (November 2017 - March 2022).
• Patient-reported outcomes including pain (Visual Analogue Scale) and symptom frequency (Haemorrhoidal Severity Score) were recorded pre- and post-procedure.
• Data collection via questionnaires and phone interviews.

Main Results:

• Significant reduction in pain severity post-LHP (p < 0.0001).
• Marked improvement in pre-existing symptoms: pain (p < 0.00001), itching/discomfort (p = 0.0001), bleeding (p < 0.00001), soiling (p = 0.00007), and prolapse (p < 0.00001).
• Common presenting symptoms included bleeding (n=54), prolapse (n=45), and pain (n=43).

Conclusions:

• LHP demonstrates significant short-term efficacy in improving symptoms for patients with symptomatic third- and fourth-degree hemorrhoids.
• Encouraging results suggest LHP as a viable treatment option.
• Further large-scale prospective studies are recommended to evaluate long-term outcomes and cost-effectiveness.