title: Hemorrhoidal laser procedure: short- and long-term results from a prospective study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We report the results of 2-year regular use of the hemorrhoidal laser procedure (HeLP) in 97 patients with symptomatic second- to third-grade hemorrhoids with minimal or moderate internal mucosal prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on duration of the procedure, perioperative complications, postoperative pain, downgrading of hemorrhoids, resolution or persistency, and recurrence of hemorrhoidal disease (HD) were prospectively collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant intraoperative complications occurred. The median follow-up was 15 months. Postoperative pain was null in most patients. There were no cases of rectal tenesmus or alteration of defecation habits. Symptoms and HD downgrading reached a "plateau" at 3 to 6 months after the HeLP. At this evaluation, frequency of bleeding, pain, itching, and hemorrhoidal acute syndrome decreased by 76% to 79%. HD grade showed a significant reduction. HD recurrence rate was 5% at 2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study demonstrates that the HeLP is a safe, effective, and painless technique for the treatment of symptomatic second- to third-grade hemorrhoids with minimal or moderate mucosal prolapse, ideally suitable as ambulatory treatment.
authors: Department of General Surgery, San Camillo Clinic Institute, Via Turati 44, 25123 Brescia, Italy. Electronic address: cirioz@libero.it.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Crea
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Second Division of General Surgery, Brescia Civic Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Giacomo
authors: G
authors: Pata
authors: Department of General Surgery, San Camillo Clinic Institute, Via Turati 44, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Mauro
authors: M
authors: Lippa
authors: Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Third Division of Internal Medicine, University of Brescia School of Medicine, Brescia Civic Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Chiesa
authors: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Brescia School of Medicine, Brescia Civic Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
authors: Maria Elena
authors: ME
authors: Gregorini
authors: Department of General Surgery, San Camillo Clinic Institute, Via Turati 44, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors: Paolo
authors: P
authors: Gandolfi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006484:Hemorrhoids / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Hemorrhoidal laser procedure; Hemorrhoids; Treatment