Sclerotherapy of hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are cavernous structures made of blood vessels and connective tissue. They are located around the anal canal. In a large part of the population, they may cause bleeding or bulge outside the anal canal. The development of hemorrhoidal disease is often attributed to factors such as constipation, straining during bowel movements, prolonged periods spent on the toilet, a history of pregnancies, and natural childbirth.

The main symptoms of hemorrhoidal disease are bleeding from the rectum (blood on the underwear and toilet paper) and the prolapsing of hemorrhoids outside the anal canal. Often patients feel pain as well as burning and itching around the rectum.

The decision to perform surgery is made by a physician during the qualification visit. Based on the test results and the patient’s general condition, a decision about the surgery is made and the date is set. Laser treatment of hemorrhoids is minimally invasive and safe. It is performed in outpatient setting under infiltration anesthesia.

The hemorrhoid sclerotherapy procedure is submucous injection of an obliterating agent – a chemical substance causing closure and constriction of the hemorrhoidal bundle vessels. As a result, hemorrhoids are reduced and pulled back into the anal canal and the bleeding subsides. The obliterating agent is most often administered in the form of a foam. The needle is inserted above the pectineal line, that is into the region free from sensory receptors, wherefore the procedure does not require anesthesia. The agent can be injected into all hemorrhoids during a single procedure. This is an outpatient procedure and the patient can return home immediately after the sclerotherapy.