PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of infrared photocoagulation in the treatment of grades I and II of hemorrhoidal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients with hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II were included, each one with transanal bleeding as the only symptom, without any other ano-rectal pathology. They were 30 male and 30 female patients, with 39.9 years as median age. Each had 1 to 4 photocoagulation sessions, according to the results obtained in each one. TECHNIC: Each application was 1.5 seconds duration, once every two weeks, in diamond or rainbow shape; 1 to 4 sessions were required. Follow up was 24 months. RESULTS: Good results were obtained in 66.6% since the second application, and in 93.4% at the end of the study; 4 (6.6%) patients were failures and had to be operated on. CONCLUSION: Treatment of hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II with infrared photocoagulation is an excellent alternative; it is painless, suitable as an outpatient procedure and its cost is low.
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of infrared photocoagulation in the treatment of grades I and II of hemorrhoidal disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 patients with hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II were included, each one with transanal bleeding as the only symptom, without any other ano-rectal pathology. They were 30 male and 30 female patients, with 39.9 years as median age. Each had 1 to 4 photocoagulation sessions, according to the results obtained in each one. TECHNIC: Each application was 1.5 seconds duration, once every two weeks, in diamond or rainbow shape; 1 to 4 sessions were required. Follow up was 24 months. RESULTS: Good results were obtained in 66.6% since the second application, and in 93.4% at the end of the study; 4 (6.6%) patients were failures and had to be operated on. CONCLUSION: Treatment of hemorrhoidal disease grades I and II with infrared photocoagulation is an excellent alternative; it is painless, suitable as an outpatient procedure and its cost is low.