Laser Hemorrhoidoplasty: Two-Year outcomes from a Prospective Observational Cohort Study

Purpose: This study aimed at analysing the outcomes of laser hemorrhoidoplasty (LHP) in a 2-year period. Methods: LHP was carried out in 77 patients (83% of them had grade III or grade IV) treated over a two-year period. Inclusion criteria were an age above 18 years old, symptomatic haemorrhoids of grade 2 to 4 with minimal to moderate prolapse. Post operative pain, recurrence of the disease, recurrence of symptoms, complications, length of stay and patients’ satisfaction were all documented. Results: The procedure was found to be safe, well tolerated, and associated with commending short to medium-term outcomes. Over 90% of patients achieved complete and sustained symptom resolution over a period of 1 year follow up despite the predominance of advanced disease in this group of patients. Disease recurrence occurred in 9.1% of the patients, postoperative pain was minimal, with a low mean pain score and limited use of opioids. Hospital stay was 1 day in most patients, and most patients returned to normal activities within the first postoperative week. 81% of the patients were highly satisfied, and 90% of patients reporting satisfactory outcomes. Postoperative complications occurred in an only one patient who had a submucosal abscess that required surgical intervention. Regression analysis showed no association between hemorrhoidal grade, symptom duration, and postoperative complications or recurrence rate. Conclusion: Those outcomes support LHP as a durable minimally invasive procedure in the short to medium term. It is found to be an effective treatment option, even in patients with advanced hemorrhoidal disease.