Radiofrequency ablation and plication of hemorrhoids

Background: Radiofrequency ablation is emerging as a new therapeutic method in various fields of medicine. This study describes procedure of radiofrequency ablation followed by plication of hemorrhoidal mass in advanced grades of hemorrhoids. Methods: This non-controlled, prospective study included 300 patients (211 men) treated at Fine Morning Hospital, Laxminagar, Nagpur, India, between July 1999 and December 2000. Patients were followed over a median period of 18 months (range, 15-20 months). Results: The hospital stay was less than 24 hours for all patients. After 1 week, most of the patients had symptoms like bleeding and pain. At 4 weeks, 21% complained of pruritus, but none had prolapse, incontinence or anal stenosis. At the last follow-up, 96% had relief from bleeding, while 8% of patients had developed external skin tags and 6% had asymptomatic recurrence revealed by anoscopy. Conclusions: For advanced degree of piles with prolapse as the main symptom, plication of the pile mass along with radiofrequency ablation may be used as an alternative to the various types of hemorrhoidectomies. With this treatment, hospital stay is minimized, postoperative pain in low, recurrence is low and return to work is faster.