Relief at last in five-minute surgery for piles

A NEW five-minute, virtually painless procedure for treating haemorrhoids – which allows patients to avoid the pain of surgery and resume their normal daily activities immediately – is now available in the UK.

The Rafaelo procedure was developed in Poland, where it has been used to treat more than 2,000 patients. It is now being carried out privately at Spire St Anthony’s Hospital in Surrey in England by consultant colorectal surgeon Nick West. It is based on the same technology used to treat varicose veins. Haemorrhoids, or piles, are caused by the deterioration of blood vessel-rich spongy cushions inside the rectum. It is believed these structures play a role in maintaining continence. Downward pressure – simply the effect of gravity and being on two feet, but sometimes greatly increased by factors such as pregnancy – can cause them to swell, engorge, itch and bleed.

The only other species to suffer from the condition is the gorilla.

They affect up to 75% of adults at some point in their lives. There is a huge range of treatments, from creams and suppositories for mild cases to surgery for the most serious. This is performed under anaesthetic and can result in the patient taking four weeks off work.

The name Rafaelo come from the procedure’s title: RAdio Frequency treatment of HAEmorrhoids under LOcal Anaesthetic.

Mr West said: ‘The base of the haemorrhoid is injected with local anaesthetic. A special metal probe, the width of a knitting needle, is inserted into the haemorrhoid. Radio-frequency energy is then sent down the probe. You can see the haemorrhoid shrinking instantly.’

The procedure costs around €2,250.