Laser hemorrhoidoplasty - a minimally invasive method for treating symptomatic hemorrhoids

Introduction: Treatment methods for hemorrhoidal nodes (hemorrhoids) are still controversial. Despite many advances in surgery, postoperative pain and discomfort remain major treatment problems. Laser haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a diode laser to reduce hemorrhoidal nodes. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of LHP in patients with grade II-III hemorrhoids. Material and Methods: The study included patients with grade II-III hemorrhoids who underwent LHP using a 1470/1064 nm diode laser. It studied the operation time, postoperative pain and complication rates, and how quickly patients returned to normal life. It also assessed the incidence of recurrence of hemorrhoidal nodes or symptoms during a minimum follow-up period of 6 months. Fifty patients (28 men and 22 women) were included in the study. Results: There were no complications during the procedures. The level of postoperative pain (12, 18, and 24 hours after the operation), determined by visual analog score, was very low (mean 2). No spontaneous postoperative bleeding was observed, and all patients returned to their daily life 2 days after surgery. With a mean follow-up of 8.6 months, the recurrence rate was 0%. LHP showed high efficacy in selected patients. Conclusion: The key advantages of this technique were low postoperative pain, only small perianal wounds, no need for special anal hygiene measures, and short operative time. Thus, LHP, which provides minimal postoperative discomfort, can be considered a painless and minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of hemorrhoids.