RESULTS OF LASER DESTRUCTION WITH AN EMISSION POWER OF 8 WATTS AND A WAVELENGTH OF 1560 NM IN THE TREATMENT OF STAGE 3 CHRONIC HEMORRHOIDS

Zasorin Alexander A., Sozonov Dmitry M.

Introduction. Laser destruction is used as a minimally invasive method for treating chronic hemorrhoids; however, the influence of radiation power has not been sufficiently studied. Objective. To study the morphological changes in hemorrhoidal tissue in vitro and the clinical outcomes of laser destruction (8 W, 1560 nm) for chronic stage III hemorrhoids. Materials and methods. A morphological study of 15 specimens of hemorrhoidal nodes after exposure to laser radiation in vitro was conducted. The short-term and long-term outcomes of laser destruction were studied in 45 patients with chronic stage III hemorrhoids. Results. The depth of coagulative necrosis was 4 mm. The technique demonstrated low pain intensity (2.5 points on the VAS) and a pain duration of 3.1±0.3 days. The frequency of short-term complications was 2.2%. Long-term follow-up revealed recurrences in 7.7% of patients after 2 years and in 20% after 3 years. Conclusion. Laser exposure at a power of 8 W (1560 nm) causes coagulative necrosis of hemorrhoidal tissue up to 4 mm deep. The low pain intensity and favorable long-term outcomes allow this technique to be recommended for the treatment of chronic stage III hemorrhoids.

Keywords:hemorrhoids, laser destruction, morphology, coagulation, radiation power