ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat symptomatic haemorrhoids. In 2005, the DGHAL proctoscope was redesigned to incorporate a window through which a recto anal repair (RAR) could be performed to improve the outcome in patients with significant prolapse symptoms. The aim of this study was to observe the outcome of a series of consecutive DGHAL-RAR procedures. METHOD: Seventy-seven consecutive patients (49 male) underwent DGHAL-RAR for symptomatic haemorrhoids and were reviewed for a minimum of 6 months post-surgery. RESULTS: Fifty-seven (74%) of patients presented with both prolapse and bleeding symptoms. The median number of DGHALs performed was six, and the median number of RARs was two. Most (96%) patients were discharged the same day. At follow-up, 11 patients complained of recurrent symptoms, five of prolapse, four of bleeding and two of pruritus. Eight patients suffered with post-operative anal fissures. The procedure is recommended by 84.4% of patients 6 weeks post-surgery. CONCLUSION: DGHAL-RAR is safe, effective and well tolerated. It reduces the need for potentially dangerous excisional procedures. The RAR component is an effective addition to DGHAL in the short term for the treatment of prolapse, but longer follow-up will be required to demonstrate durability of the technique.
