Selective intra-arterial embolization to treat hemorrhoids.

OBJECTIVE

To present our results and describe the technique used for the endovascular treatment of hemorrhoids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used right femoral artery or radial artery access to catheterize the inferior mesenteric artery, proceeding to the superior rectal artery with a 2.7F microcatheter to catheterize and embolize each distal branch distally with PVA particles (300-500μm) and proximally with coils (2-3mm). Patients were discharged 24hours after the procedure and clinically followed up at one month by anoscopy.

RESULTS

We included 20 patients (4 women and 16 men; mean age, 61.85 years (27-81 years); mean follow-up, 10.6 months (28-2 months). Technical success was achieved in 18 (90%) patients and clinical success in 15 (83.4%); one patient required a second embolization of the medial rectal artery and two required surgery. Recovery was practically painless. At the one-month follow-up, all patients were very satisfied and anoscopy demonstrated marked improvement of the hemorrhoids. There were no complications secondary to embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial results suggest that selective intra-arterial embolization is a safe and painless procedure that is well tolerated because it avoids rectal trauma and patients recover immediately.