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Hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx): a novel effective procedure to treat hemorrhoidal disease

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Abstract

Background

The hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx), consisting of Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization with laser and the addition of anal mucopexy, is a novel non-excisional procedure to treat hemorrhoids. The aim of the present study was to describe the technique and report the clinical and long-term results.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted on patients with grade III hemorrhoids who had HeLPexx from January 2012 to February 2018. Pre- and postoperative assessment included a thorough clinical examination, constipation and incontinence scoring systems and a symptom questionnaire which was administered at all patients before surgery and at each follow-up visit to evaluate bleeding, prolapse, manual reduction, discomfort or pain, and impact on quality of life. Each symptom had a score between 0 and 4, (0 indicates no symptoms and 4 indicates daily symptoms). The sum of the score for each symptom constituted the Hemorrhoid Symptom Score. Resolution of symptoms, pain, morbidity, need for further medical and/or surgical therapy were also recorded.

Results

One hundred and seventy consecutive patients with grade III hemorrhoids [74 females; mean age 49.5 years (range 22–79) years] were included. Median length of follow-up was 36 (range 12–72) months. Postoperative morbidity included urinary retention (7 patients, 4.1%), bleeding not requiring transfusion (1 patient, 0.6%) and thrombosis of hemorrhoidal piles (2 patients, 1.2%). The mean postoperative pain VAS score at 1 week postoperatively was 1.8 ± 1.1 (range 0–5) and 12 (7%) patients used pain medications for more than 1 week postoperatively while none of the patients reported any pain by the end of the third week postoperatively. The Hemorrhoid Symptom Score significantly improved from 15.83 ± 3.04 to 1.3 ± 2.4 (p ≤ 0.001) and showed a statistically significant improvement in all items. Recurrent symptoms were reported in 12 patients (7%) who required further treatment. Severe chronic constipation prior to surgery was found to be a predictive factor of failure (p = 0.04).

Conclusions

HeLPexx appears to be safe and effective for treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Policlinico Monza, Monza, Italy

    P. Giamundo

  2. S. Spirito Hospital, Bra, Italy

    M. De Angelis & A. Mereu

Authors
  1. P. Giamundo
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  2. M. De Angelis
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  3. A. Mereu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to P. Giamundo.

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Conflict of interest

PG: Surgical Trainer for Biolitec, Biomedical Technology (no financial interests); MDA: no conflict of interest; AM: No conflict of interest.

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The study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards reported in the Declaration of Helsinki.

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All patients provided written informed consent.

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Giamundo, P., De Angelis, M. & Mereu, A. Hemorrhoid laser procedure with suture-pexy (HeLPexx): a novel effective procedure to treat hemorrhoidal disease. Tech Coloproctol 24, 199–205 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-020-02152-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-020-02152-6

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