Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of haemorrhoidal bundles, an alternative technique for the management of internal haemo
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Radiofrequency thermocoagulation of haemorrhoidal bundles, an alternative technique for the management of internal haemorrhoids Jean-Michel Didelot 1
&
Romain Didelot 2
Accepted: 21 October 2020 # Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract Purpose To describe our experience of radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT), assessing patient symptoms and quality of life (QoL) before and after the intervention. Methods Between April 2016 and April 2018, 42 outpatients were operated for internal haemorrhoids using RFT. Haemorrhoids were externalised to the anal margin and treated by using the Rafaelo® procedure, using the HPR45i probe (F-Care-Systems) under general anaesthesia. Assessment was performed prior to the intervention and during follow-up for prolapse degree using the Goligher scale; bleeding, improvement, and satisfaction using a verbal analogical scale; and the burden of haemorrhoidal disease using the HEMO-FISS-QoL questionnaire. Results In September 2018, 39 patients (26 males, mean age 51 [22–77]) were interviewed after an RFT intervention, during which a mean of 4.296 J was applied per patient. After a mean follow-up of 15 months, bleeding drastically decreased from 7/10 to 1/10 (p < 0.0001) and entirely stopped in 62% of patients. Prolapse significantly reduced from grade 3 to 2 (p < 0.0001) and completely disappeared in 9 out of 33 patients. Only 49% required postoperative level 2 analgesics, and 7 external thromboses were the only complication reported. Average incapacity for work was 1.72 days. All patients reported improvement of haemorrhoidal disease with a satisfaction rate mean score + 4/5. Haemorrhoidal discomfort decreased from 7/10 to 2/10 (p < 0.0001). HEMO-FISS-QoL score significantly improved, dropping from 24.91 to 5.94 (p < 0.001). Among all patients, 85% would choose RFT again if necessary and 90% would recommend it. Conclusion RFT treatment reduced haemorrhoidal bleeding and prolapse, and improved patient QoL. Keywords Haemorrhoids . Radiofrequency thermocoagulation . Quality of life . Rafaelo procedure
Introduction Haemorrhoids have an estimated prevalence up to 40% [1, 2], yet despite their impact on quality of life (QoL) many patients are reluctant to seek medical attention [3]. Radiofrequency thermocoagulation (RFT) following the Rafaelo® procedure provides an alternative intervention for the management of internal haemorrhoids [4] for patients that might otherwise
* Jean-Michel Didelot [email protected] 1
Clinique Clémentville, Montpellier, France
2
University of Medicine, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
be reticent to undergo surgery for fear of postoperative pain and complications. At our centre, interventions were performed without an anoscope. Using an ex vivo surgical method, each of the 3 or 4 haemorrhoidal bundles was externalised to the anal margin, thus permitting easier treatment. Herein, we present a retrospective analysis of our initial experience with the RFT technique using this approach.
Methods
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