title: Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation: an alternative to hemorrhoidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Postoperative pain is the main adverse effect of formal hemorrhoidectomy. A new technique based on Doppler-guided ligation of the terminal branches of the superior hemorrhoidal artery was introduced in 1995 as an alternative to hemorrhoidectomy. The authors report a preliminary experience with this procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation technique uses a special proctoscope bearing a Doppler transducer that allows identification and suture ligation of the hemorrhoidal arteries. Sixty-eight consecutive patients (mean age, 48 years; range, 21-74 years) with Grade 3 hemorrhoids were treated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intraoperative discomfort was measured by a visual analog scale (1-10) and resulted in a mean score of 2.3 (range, 1.3-2.8). Only 38 percent of patients required postoperative analgesia. Patients were examined at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months and every 6 months thereafter. The mean follow-up was 11 (range, 3-18) months. Bleeding resolved in 91 percent of patients, pain in 73 percent, and prolapse in 94 percent. Complications were recorded in five patients and included persistent pain for more than two days in two patients (3 percent), swelling and thrombosis of one of the hemorrhoids in two patients (3 percent), and a secondary hemorrhage in one patient (1.5 percent).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Doppler-guided ligation of the hemorrhoidal artery is a safe and effective alternative to hemorrhoidectomy and is associated with minimal discomfort and low risk of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, St. Luke's Hospital, Gwardamangia, Malta.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Felice
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Privitera
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ellul
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Klaumann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011351:Proctoscopy; D012007:Rectum / Q000098:blood supply*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler