[HAL-RAR for the treatment of hemorrhoids - a new, non invasive method].

Introduction

HAL-RAR is a new, minimally invasive technique for the treatment of haemorrhoids, whereby Doppler-guided ligation of the haemorrhoidal arteries (HAL) is combined with a mucopexy of the prolapsed haemorrhoidal tissue (RAR = Recto Anal Repair).

Methods

We did these operations as an alternative to the conventional haemorrhoidectomies in the cases of grade III or - in some cases - grade II haemorrhoids. Between August 2017 and April 2019 a total of 45 patients were operated on with the HAL-RAR procedure. All operations were done under general or spinal anaesthesia.

Results

Complications were seen in three patients within 30 days of surgery. One patient had proctitis, one patient suffered from a thrombosed haemorrhoid, while one patient had bleeding, which occurred on the 16th postoperative day. Two of them needed re-operation. Except one patient, all of them was treated in one-day surgery. HAL-RAR seems to be less painful than conventional procedures and causes more patient satisfaction in the early postoperative period. Neither the bleeding, nor the pain did not re-appear after 1 year, but one patient mentioned recurrence of the prolapse.

Conclusion

Doppler-guided suturing is an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for even advanced haemorrhoidal diseases and seems to be ideal for one-day surgery.