New Hemorrhoid Treatment - Doppler Guided HAL/RAR

HEMORRHOID TREATMENT: DOPPLER GUIDED HAL/RAR

People with Grade 3 hemorrhoids and Grade 4 hemorrhoids now have a new hemorrhoid treatment option that is performed without incision. DGHAL/RAR (Doppler Guided Hemorrhoid Artery Ligation/Recto Anal Repair) was developed in Japan, improved in Europe and brought to the United States in 2006.

This new hemorrhoid treatment procedure is minimally-invasive. DGHAL/RAR uses doppler technology to find the blood flow within the small artery feeding the hemorrhoid to be treated. Once the problematic artery is identified, a suture is placed around it. The suturing constricts the blood flow, which in time will start to shrink the hemorrhoid. For larger Grade 4 hemorrhoids, resulting in prolapsed tissue which protrudes from the anus, the same instrument is used. Grade 4 hemorrhoids are sutured and lifted back into place (RAR). This new hemorrhoid lift treatment, when done properly, can also affect the external hemorrhoids.

With this new hemorrhoid treatment, the suture will dissolve over a short period of time and the hemorrhoid cushion will be brought back into balance. No cutting takes place and the suturing is done above the dentate line, so the HAL/RAR procedure causes minimal pain. Patients resume their normal lives within five days, and as with other hemorrhoid treatment surgeries, heavy lifting should be avoided for one month.

Keep in mind that all surgical hemorrhoid treatment procedures require medication for sedation and may require medication for pain. These medications could have reactions with other drugs, so make sure to discuss any medication you are taking and your chosen hemorrhoid treatment with both your surgeon and your primary care physician.

A couple of doctors using the new HAL/RAR hemorrhoid treatment method have reported successful outcomes with patients taking blood thinners such as PLAVIX, each patient will need to be examined by a doctor to determine if the HAL/RAR procedure is the best option.