Non-Surgical Hemorrhoid Treatment
New England Endovascular Center offers Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization. This is a leading-edge and highly effective treatment option for patients with symptoms caused by grade 1, 2 and 3 internal hemorrhoids. If you are not a candidate for this procedure, there may be surgical options available to you by your gastroenterologist or surgeon.
Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids that safely and effectively reduces the blood flow to the hemorrhoids. A small tube (called a catheter) is inserted into the artery at the top of the leg or wrist. The catheter is maneuvered under x-ray guidance to the arteries that supply the hemorrhoids. Once in place, small beads (called microspheres) and/or coils are delivered. By reducing blood flow to the hemorrhoids, the network of abnormal vessels and dilated veins shrinks, thereby alleviating the symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HEMORRHOID ARTERY EMBOLIZATION?
Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization is a minimally-invasive procedure that works directly on the blood vessels. It will decrease the blood supply to the hemorrhoids and eliminate/decrease rectal bleeding as well as other symptoms.
The procedure is performed through a tiny pinhole in the skin at the top of your leg or wrist. This is different from the alternative surgical procedures which are performed through the anus.
Majority of patients experience symptom relief:
- Reduction of rectal bleeding
- Improvement in pain
- Decreased prolapse
Less risk than surgery
General anesthesia is not required as the procedure is safely performed with moderate sedation and local anesthesia. In addition, the procedure is performed in an outpatient setting, so you can go home the same day. The tiny pinhole incision does not require stitches, and there are excellent outcomes, with marked reduction in symptoms and lower risks. Other surgical procedures have a risk of fecal incontinence as well as higher risk of post procedural pain, bleeding and urinary retention.
Quick recovery– Majority of patients are back to most regular activities within 1-2 days of having hemorrhoid artery embolization. This procedure offers a quicker return to work and regular activity compared to surgery.
ARE YOU A CANDIDATE FOR HEMORRHOID ARTERY EMBOLIZATION?
You are a candidate for Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization if you:
- Have been diagnosed with grade 1, 2 or 3 internal hemorrhoids or mixed internal/external hemorrhoids
- Are experiencing symptoms such as rectal bleeding and pain
- Prefer a minimally invasive non-surgical approach with decreased risks
Be sure to discuss all of the treatment options with your doctor before deciding.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT BEFORE MY PROCEDURE?
You will first meet with our physician for a consultation to discuss your symptoms and medical history. Pending any further diagnostic tests, our physician will provide treatment recommendations. If hemorrhoid artery embolization is warranted, our friendly staff will help you schedule the procedure. Our physician will follow-up with your doctors to inform him/her/them of the treatment plan.
Our physician will need to know which medications you are taking — you will be informed which medications to take and which ones to hold on the day(s) leading up to the procedure. We will need to know about any allergies. A simple blood test may be ordered to ensure your kidney function is acceptable for the contrast dye used during the procedure.
You will be asked to not eat nor drink anything after midnight on the day prior to your procedure.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON MY HEMORRHOID ARTERY EMBOLIZATION PROCEDURE DAY?
Preparation
After arriving and checking in with our front staff, our nurse will take you back to the prep/recovery area to get you ready for the procedure. A bedside locked cabinet and key are provided for your personal items.
An IV will be secured into your hand or forearm, allowing easy medication access for moderate sedation and pain control. Later, our staff will safely transport you into the surgical room and prep you for the procedure. You’ll notice surgical drapes placed over much of the surrounding area. This keeps the surface area sterile and clean.
The Procedure
Once in the room, you will be placed on a comfortable, soft table. The skin at the top of your leg or wrist will be sterilized. Moderate sedation is administered at the beginning of the procedure to provide enough sedation to make the procedure as comfortable as possible. You will be relaxed, but awake the entire time! Since there is a ceiling-mounted TV in the procedure room, you catch up on your favorite TV series or listen to your favorite music.
A numbing medication will be injected into your skin at the access site. Our physician will make a small, painless pinhole nick in your skin to create an opening for the catheter to go through. Next, a catheter will be inserted into the artery. Although the procedure is commonly performed through the femoral artery at the top of the leg, the procedure can be safely performed through the radial artery at the wrist.
The catheter placed inside the femoral or radial artery is a long, thin tube. Live x-ray guidance is used to steer the catheter to each of the arteries leading to the hemorrhoids. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter to determine catheter location and which blood vessels are supplying blood to the hemorrhoids. Tiny particles (microbeads) measuring less than 1mm and/or small coils are delivered through the catheter, which decreases the blood flow to the hemorrhoids. The beads and coils are sterile, designed solely to obstruct blood flow without eliciting any type of adverse reaction. After the hemorrhoidal arteries are treated, a final injection of contrast is occasionally made in the aorta or other arteries to ensure there are no additional vessels supplying the hemorrhoids. The procedure typically takes 1-2 hours.
WHAT IS THE RECOVERY FROM HEMORRHOID ARTERY EMBOLIZATION?
Following the procedure, the arterial catheter will be removed and a small dressing will be placed at the access site. You will be transported back to the recovery area. To prevent any bleeding from the access site, you will be asked to lie flat for a while. Additional medication will be provided to control any pain.
You can expect to stay at NEEC for approximately 4 hours following the procedure. Snacks and drinks will be provided at this time. IPads are available to use while you wait to catchup on your favorite Netflix or Hulu series. You’ll need to plan to have someone drive you home once you have been discharged because sedative drugs were given. Be sure to follow the discharge instructions about taking your medications.
Once home, please be sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids. We suggest that you avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercising for at least 24-48 hours. Hemorrhoid artery embolization is generally a well-tolerated procedure. If any post procedure symptoms occur, they will typically be minor and may include fatigue and mild pain. If necessary, you will be prescribed medications to minimize these symptoms.
WE CAN HELP!
New England Endovascular Center offers expertise, state-of-the-art imaging, and resources for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of hemorrhoids. We customize each patient’s treatment plan to maximize the best possible outcome. We are committed to providing excellent, personal patient care.
Call our office today to schedule a consultation at 413-693-2852.
Our providers are nationally recognized experts in minimally invasive therapies for treating hemorrhoids.
We provide non-surgical treatment for hemorrhoids for patients throughout Western MA and Northern CT.
To learn more about treatments available at New England Endovascular Center call 413-693-2852 to make an appointment.