Hemorrhoids are an irritating and distressful condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Hemorrhoids often result in rectal bleeding and itching.
HET is an innovative non-invasive therapy using heat energy to treat hemorrhoids in-office. Less invasive than rubber band ligation, HET provides immediate results with reduced recovery time.
During the Procedure
Hemorrhoids, or hemorrhoidal collection of blood vessels in the lower rectum that become enlarged and painful over time, may prolapse out of their confines and bleed. Hemorrhoid energy therapy (HET), is an alternative nonsurgical method of treating hemorrhoids by using heat energy to shrink hemorrhoids and decrease bleeding. HET uses heat energy to shrink hemorrhoids while decreasing bleeding.
Healthcare providers can perform this procedure in either an outpatient surgery center or physician’s office, using local anesthetic to numb the area and ensure you remain awake but do not experience any pain during the process.
Low-grade heat energy is applied directly to the hemorrhoids to limit blood flow to them and help reduce inflammation. The procedure takes only a few minutes and can target multiple hemorrhoids simultaneously; most patients report no pain during or after the treatment process.
Similar to rubber band ligation, but less invasive, this procedure does not require any preparation and can be completed in less than a minute. Furthermore, multiple hemorrhoids can be targeted simultaneously for treatment to speed recovery time.
Hemorrhoid energy therapy with bipolar cautery (HETTM) is another popular hemorrhoid surgery method. This non-invasive and safer alternative to rubber band ligation uses electrical current to cut and seal hemorrhoids instead of using metal probes which may be more uncomfortable for patients.
HET bipolar system has proven itself to be a safe and effective method for treating hemorrhoids without bleeding, with minimal collateral tissue damage nearby the hemorrhoids. According to recent research, 62% of patients experienced complete resolution or improvement from this procedure; its low treatment temperature minimizes collateral tissue damage around hemorrhoids as well. 62% experienced complete resolution or improvement from HET treatment while more recent research indicated 62% saw complete resolution or improvement after receiving HET procedure; regardless of good results however patients must follow advice given by their doctors regarding frequency or length of treatments received as too frequent treatments can return or worsen and lead to anal fistula which requires patients wear pads in order to avoid irritation in rectal area caused by bleeding or itching from within fistula itself causing irritation that would need be worn all throughout treatment sessions in order to protect from potential problems caused by irritation causing bleeding or itching inside of rectal area.
After the Procedure
Hemorrhoid energy therapy, or HET, is an innovative non-surgical method designed to quickly relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. HET applies low thermal energy to shrink inflamed hemorrhoids. Treatment typically occurs at an ambulatory endoscopy center along with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy and most patients notice immediate reductions in hemorrhoid size and improvements in symptoms.
The procedure can be done simultaneously on multiple hemorrhoids, and most patients report no pain or only mild discomfort during treatment. Heat energy applied close to hemorrhoids minimizes blood flow and inflammation, with low temperatures helping limit collateral tissue damage – all in only a few minutes! Most patients don’t even require sedation!
Recently, researchers evaluated the HET bipolar system’s effectiveness in treating internal hemorrhoids (IH). When compared with rubber band ligation (RBL), which is commonly used as an IH treatment option, using HET bipolar was associated with higher rates of successful bleeding resolution and less need for repeat treatments.
Hemorrhoids can be divided into four grades depending on their symptoms and prognosis: Grade I hemorrhoids are non-visible, do not cause rectal bleeding during bowel movements and don’t overhang from anal canal causing straining; Grade II are those that prolapse out from anal canal and cause straining but may be reduced through diet and lifestyle changes; while grade III hemorrhoids prolapse out, prolapsing out from it causing rectal bleeding with each bowel movement – this type is more severe and may require surgical removal of anal canal prolapse out.
Study authors evaluated 71 patients suffering from grade I and II hemorrhoids who underwent treatment with HET bipolar system. Of those 71 treated, 64 experienced either complete or significant improvement in hemorrhoidal bleeding – an impressively higher rate than what had been seen using RBL in previous research studies. Furthermore, many were able to resume work or other daily activities immediately following HET system treatment.
What to Expect
At your initial consultation, our team will go over everything you need to know about hemorrhoid energy treatment and what it can achieve. We will also go over necessary preparations and post-procedure instructions. Medications like aspirin products, antiplatelet agents (such as Clopidogrel), arthritis medications and anticoagulants could interfere with this procedure so it’s essential that any such substances be disclosed prior to beginning.
Hemorrhoid energy therapy (HET) can provide relief for internal grade 1 and 2 hemorrhoids that cause rectal bleeding, itching or prolapse of blood vessels into the anus. HET may also help those suffering with non-reducing grade 3 hemorrhoids that do not spontaneously reduce and require manual reduction; HET offers less invasive relief than rubber band ligation yet more effectiveness than infrared coagulation and sclerotherapy treatments.
HET bipolar systems are intended to be painless, with only slight pressure from instruments causing discomfort during and after procedures. Patients have reported various sensations during and after their procedure; those experiencing itching or pain afterward can use creams for managing these symptoms.
After your procedure, it is vitally important that any pressure be kept off of the hemorrhoid area. However, sitting for long periods can present its own unique set of challenges – so we advise using a donut-shaped pillow when sitting down – this can help to keep your buttocks positioned correctly while alleviating pain and preventing straining.
Avoid foods that cause constipation to prevent hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are made worse when hardened stools place extra stress on the anus during bowel movements; constipation can further irritate this sensitive area and may result in bleeding and itching. To combat constipation effectively, try using stool softener or drinking plenty of water daily to maintain regularity.
After your procedure, it is important to rest for as long as possible and limit activity until any discomfort subsides. This includes refraining from engaging in strenuous activities such as squatting, lifting, or bending and sitting for prolonged periods. If pain persists over time, over-the-counter medicines may help alleviate itching.
Questions?
At a time of cost containment, malpractice lawsuits and competitive pressure to provide office treatment for hemorrhoids, searching for an easily learnt procedure that delivers satisfactory results without serious complications is paramount. Methods which return anal cushions back into their natural position without damaging tissue are much preferable to methods such as rubber band ligation (RBL) or chemical destruction of pile mass via sclerosant injections.
Infrared radiation penetrates hemorrhoidal tissue at a predetermined depth before instantly being converted to heat and leading to its coagulation. Radiation exposure duration can be precisely controlled via an instrument built into the power unit, while mechanical pressure applied during coagulation reduces blood flow to the site for maximum depth coagulation with minimal damage to mucosa proximal to hemorrhoids (4).
