Laser Haemorrhoid Treatment (LHP)

Can haemorrhoids be lasered?

Haemorrhoidoplasty: Treat haemorrhoids with laser

Laser treatment of dilated vascular structures has long been proven in the treatment of varicose veins (varices). In proctology, haemorrhoid treatment with an 810 nm laser was first reported in 2009 by Hèlio Plapler at the University Hospital of Sao Paulo. The development of a fine, cone-shaped radiating glass fibre probe and the use of a waveform-optimised 1470 nm laser improved the effectiveness of the laser application. 

Haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) can be considered a mature therapy procedure today. In this procedure, the haemorrhoidal nodes are reduced in size and fixed from the inside with dosed laser energy. The Hemorrhoid Laser Procedure (HeLP), which only scleroses the afferent vessels at the base of the haemorrhoid, is even more restrained.

When the treatment-related swelling has subsided after one to two weeks, the haemorrhoidal nodes shrink and no longer tend to prolapse. This method can additionally be combined with gathering fixation sutures(HAL-RAR) if a pronounced prolapse is to be treated.

In other words, the dilation of the haemorrhoidal vessel (vascular component of haemorrhoidal disease) is treated with laser and the mechanical instability (prolapse component) is treated with suturing. These two therapeutic principles interact synergistically ("belt and braces principle").

Laser treatment of haemorrhoids with the LHP procedure
Sclerotherapy of the enlarged haemorrhoid with the laser (© biolitec® AG, Untere Viaduktgasse 6/9, A-1030 Vienna )

What do I get out of it as a patient?

Laser treatment of haemorrhoids: Major advantages

  • The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, after 2 hours of monitoring in the recovery room you can be picked up again
  • LHP can also be used in stage 3 and - with restrictions - stage 4 haemorrhoidal disease.
  • Larger wounds as with conventional haemorrhoid removal are avoided
  • The downtime in work and sports is minimal compared to conventional surgery, most patients are fit for work again after 5 - 7 days.
  • Studies showed better efficacy and quality of life after laser haemorrhoidoplasty compared to the commonly used rubber band ligation
  • The haemorrhoidal cushion, which is important for elasticity, sensitivity and sealing against gas and fluid of the anus, is preserved and reduced to the normal level.
  • The sphincter muscle is optimally protected

Statutory health insurance

Laser treatment: Does the health insurance cover the costs?

Before you read on, you probably want to know whether the treatment costs are covered by health insurance. To date, the innovative treatment procedures with lasers are not included in the standard care.

The good news is that a whole series of statutory health insurers, predominantly from the group of company health insurance funds (BKKs), have now concluded contracts with us within the framework of integrated care (IGV). For the insured of these health insurance companies we can therefore offer a modern laser operation without additional costs for the patient. Information on the various modalities of reimbursement and assumption of treatment costs by health insurance can be found here.

A safe procedure with few complications

Laser haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP): Are there risks?

Our experience shows that laser haemorrhoidoplasty is a very safe and effective procedure, especially when compared to other haemorrhoid surgery techniques.

  • Postoperative bleeding from the laser channels can occur, but is never dangerous and can usually be stopped by applying gentle pressure.
  • Local swelling and anal thrombosis are not uncommon in the first 1 to 2 weeks, but will go away on their own.
  • Bacterial inflammations up to fistula formation could be imagined, but have not been observed so far.
  • Especially in our preferred combination with HAL-RAR, very good long-term results can be expected. 90 % of the treated patients are symptom-free after 3 years.

The individual steps of the treatment

Laser haemorrhoidoplasty (LHP): Treatment procedure

Find out here what is important for the smooth course of treatment during laser haemorrhoid surgery. General information on outpatient rectal surgery can also be found on our page "Outpatient haemorrhoid surgery".

Anamnesis (previous history) - and assessment of findings

At your first appointment in our practice, you will tell us about the duration, type and intensity of your symptoms. The examination clarifies whether enlarged haemorrhoids are actually responsible for these symptoms. At least half of all patients who present with "haemorrhoids" are actually suffering from anal fissure or anal eczema independent of the rectum.

Education on haemorrhoid surgery on a model
Haemorrhoid model

Discussion of the alternatives

Is laser haemorrhoidoplasty the optimal procedure for you and your condition? In principle, haemorrhoids from I° - III° can be treated with it. In the case of individual, very large lumps, conventional haemorrhoid removal may be the method of choice.

If a patient has only few symptoms, it is sometimes possible to avoid surgery altogether and only treat symptomatically with stool regulation and ointment. In the case of very pronounced, circulating findings, a stapler haemorrhoidopexy (Longo operation) may be useful in individual cases.

Once these questions have been clarified, we will inform you about the expected impairments and possible, albeit rare, complications. The consultation ends with the signing of the written consent form for the operation.

Anaesthesia talk ("premedication")

For this purpose, you should visit the IATROS clinic a few days before the planned procedure or contact us by telephone, but at the latest one day before. Please bring the completed information/questionnaire with you. If possible, bring an interpreter with you if you do not feel confident in the German or English language.

When: Monday to Thursday from 9:00 to 17:00 and Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 without appointment. The IATROS clinic is closed on bridge days and public holidays.

Where? Joint practice for anaesthesia IATROS-KLINIK GmbH, Dr. med. Javier del Valle, Dr. med. Michael Kaspar, Dr. med. Christoph Schmitt-Hausser

Nymphenburger Straße 1, 80335 Munich, (high-rise building opposite Löwenbräu-Keller, U1/U7 Stiglmairplatz, tram line 22), Tel.: 089 - 461356-0

For further information, please visit the clinic's website at https://www.iatros-klinik.de/information/.

Preparation for surgery

  • Examinations by the general practitioner: Healthy patients up to 60 years of age do not need any special preliminary examinations. In individual cases, the anaesthetist may order necessary examinations. Healthy patients over 60 years of age should bring their existing examination results, ECG and laboratory with them. In the case of chronic illnesses with performance limitations as well as cardiovascular events in the last 12 months (heart attack, stroke), we advise against outpatient surgery and would recommend surgery in an appropriately equipped acute hospital.
  • If you have to take "blood thinning" medication: With any permanent medication, please talk to your family doctor and the anaesthetist about the use before and after the operation! Operations with a slightly increased risk of bleeding can be performed with ASA (Aspirin®). If it is not necessary, ASA should be discontinued 5 days before the operation and only taken again after one week. We advise against outpatient surgery with clopidogrel (Plavix®), phenprocoumon (Marcumar®) and the new oral anticoagulants (NOAKs).
  • Medication for diabetes: Please discuss with the anaesthetist whether metformin should be paused and whether and when insulin should be injected.
  • Corona test: As of 14.09.21, the 3 G regulation applies until further notice, a PCR test is no longer mandatory. For convalescents whose infection occurred more than 6 months ago and unvaccinated persons, a PCR test no older than 72 hours with subsequent quarantine at home is still mandatory.
  • Bowel preparation: Bowel irrigation as for colonoscopy is not necessary for proctological operations.
  • Prescriptions for painkillers and other medicines required during follow-up treatment will be given to you when you