What is a hemorrhoidal disease and what are the symptoms

Hemorrhoidal disease is the most frequent proctologic pathology. It is a dense anastomotic arteriovenous network that contributes to anal canal incontinence. Chronic bleeding is the main symptom of internal hemorrhoids located at the anorectal junction and may or may not be associated with hemorrhoidal prolapse. External hemorrhoids, located at the anal margin, manifest as painful inflammatory crises that are sometimes associated with thrombosis.

Hemorrhoidal disease treatment usually involves hygiene and dietary measures and other non-surgical procedures. However, 10% of patients still require surgical treatment with long, painful postoperative courses with a significant complication rate

What is hemorrhoidal artery embolization?

Hemorrhoidal artery embolization is a minimally invasive procedure designed to treat patients with moderate to advanced symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease. The procedure consists of a placement of a small catheter through a vessel in the upper thigh.  Under X-ray guidance, the catheter is advanced into the vessels supplying blood flow to distal branches of the superior rectal artery.  Embolization is performed by small particles infused through the catheter for the purposes of eliminating blood flow.

What is the procedure time?

Most cases will be performed in less than 2 hours. Depending on patient anatomy, the procedure may last for up to 4 hours.

What is the recovery time?

Currently, patients are admitted overnight for observation and discharged the following morning.

How effective is the procedure?

Patients can expect to have symptomatic improvement as early as 1 week after the procedure.  The symptomatic improvement is similar to that expected for surgery. Patients were found to have improved symptom scores and quality of life.