Haemorrhoidal artery ligation

What is haemorrhoidal artery ligation? 

Haemorrhoidal artery ligation also known as transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation is an operation designed to eradicate piles (also known as haemorrhoids) without the need for cutting and in some cases without a general anaesthetic. 

What does the operation involve?

The operation uses a miniature ultrasound device to locate the blood vessels supplying the haemorrhoids.

The aim of the operation is to cut off the blood supply to the haemorrhoids. This is achieved by placing a stitch around each blood vessel. Over the following few days the piles shrink away and the symptoms resolve.

How soon will I recover?

Because the operation does not include cutting, recovery is very swift. The majority of patients are admitted to hospital for just one day (day case admission), and in some cases a general anaesthetic is not required.

Is the operation painful?

As the stitch is placed in the lower rectum, where there are literally no pain nerves, the procedure is virtually painless; most patients are back to work after 24-48 hours.

The British Haemorrhoid Centre aims to offer a technologically advanced and scientifically proven "virtually pain free" approach to the treatment of haemorrhoids / piles avoiding the need for lengthy recovery.