Radiofrequency coagulation: a new option for early grade bleeding hemorrhoids.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of hemorrhoids has undergone significant changes after introduction of new techniques during last years. Radiofrequency coagulation is a new approach for treating grade I and II hemorrhoids. In this procedure, the hemorrhoidal tissue is coagulated by a high frequency radio wave. The author describes his experience using this new technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The procedure was performed using an Ellman radiofrequency generator. Over a period of 18 months, patients with bleeding hemorrhoids were treated with this technique and a 16 months follow-up was carried out to assess a relief in bleeding episodes, complications, and recurrence rate.

RESULTS

While 13% of patients experienced persistence or recurrence of bleeding, 2% of patients needed readmission for secondary hemorrhage. None has reported an infective complication. Overall ratio of comfort and patient contentment with pain and bleeding was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

The treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids using the radiofrequency coagulation is technically simple, therapeutically effective and virtually complication free. The equipment is portable, easy handling, long lasting, and needs only little maintenance. Long-term follow-up is necessary to justify reliability of this method (Ref. 49).