Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) in Chicago and Indiana

Effective, non-surgical treatment for hemorrhoids

Traditional surgery to treat chronic hemorrhoids—called hemorrhoidectomy—is known for its long and often painful recovery, as well as a persistent risk of complications such as prolonged bleeding and urinary retention.^1,2 A less invasive technique called rubber band ligation is also associated with pain and complications, especially for those taking anti-platelet or anti-coagulant medication, who have a higher risk of hemorrhage and infection.³

Fortunately, there is a new and minimally invasive option to permanently treat hemorrhoids and alleviate symptoms: Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE).

Click here to take our quiz to see if you qualify for HAE »

Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) in Chicago and Indiana

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Hemorrhoid Treatment Comparison Guide

Who suffers from hemorrhoids?

About half of all Americans will experience hemorrhoids in their lifetimes. In most cases, hemorrhoids will go away on their own or with diet changes, topical treatments, medications or supplements. But they can also persist and cause bleeding, itching and painful bowel movements.

If conservative treatments have failed and symptoms persist, the potential complications of hemorrhoids and resulting painful conditions can include:

Perianal thrombosis
Incarcerated prolapsed hemorrhoids
Anemia
Blood clots
Blood loss (due to a burst hemorrhoid)
Infection
Skin tags

chronic hemorrhoid treatment in Chicago and Indiana

What is the cause of hemorrhoids?

Most people have the wrong idea about hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are actually swollen veins inside the lower rectum or under the skin around the anus, similar in nature to varicose veins. They most commonly occur in people between ages 45 and 65, and may be caused by an increase in pressure in the lower rectum through one or more of the following factors:

Sitting for long periods
Straining or excessive exercise
Spinal cord injury
Constipation or diarrhea
Being overweight
Pregnancy or childbirth
Family history

A diet high in fiber, as well as drinking plenty of fluids and getting regular exercise can help prevent hemorrhoids.

What are my hemorrhoid treatment options?

Conservative treatment for hemorrhoids may include diet changes, topic treatments (such as an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream), sitz baths and oral pain relievers (such as Tylenol). If the symptoms do not disappear, and if you are experiencing severe pain, bleeding, changes in bowel habits or changes to the color or consistency of your stools, you will want to talk with your doctor about other treatment options.

When conservative treatment has failed, hemorrhoidectomy and rubber band ligation are surgical options. However, surgery comes with risks and complications that can include infection, bleeding, difficulty emptying the bladder, rectal prolapse and more. Recovery takes at least 2 weeks, and it can be as long as 3-6 weeks before you feel normal again.

A new and minimally invasive option to treat hemorrhoids is called hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE). This is typically recommended for patients with grade 1 to 3 internal hemorrhoids who have not responded to conservative treatment.

The hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) procedure

HAE is performed by an interventional radiologist who inserts a tiny catheter into an artery in your upper thigh and then uses X-ray imaging to guide it through the body’s blood vessels to the rectal artery. Special coils are inserted into the artery to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink. The success rate of this procedure is greater than 90%.⁴

Unlike surgery, there is no general anesthesia required for the procedure, no incisions and no scarring. You are able to return home the same day and resume your normal activities.

Click here to take our quiz to see if you qualify for HAE »

Hiroko Kunitake, MD, MPH and Vitaliy Poylin, MD, FACS, FASCRS2 Complications Following Anorectal Surgery Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016, Mar; 29(1): 14-21.
Christos Simoglou et al. Milligan-Morgan Haemorrhoidectomy Complications. Hellenic Journal of Surgery 86, 68-71
Andreia Albuquerque Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoids: A guide for complications. World J Gastrointest Surg. 2016 Sep 27; 8(9): 614-620
Sandeep Bagla, MD et al. Outcomes of Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization from a Multidisciplinary Outpatient Interventional Center. Journal of Vascular and Interventional

Talk to your doctor about HAE

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis by the experienced doctors at NG Vascular. If your doctor is not familiar with hemorrhoidal artery embolization, we are happy to help provide them with the information they need to make an informed recommendation.

Our doctors are fellowship-trained in vascular and interventional radiology. With more than 13 years of education and training, they are among the most highly trained doctors practicing medicine today and are uniquely qualified to provide both diagnostic evaluations as well as the required treatment.

If you believe you are a candidate for HAE, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us. We are happy to work with your doctor(s) and other members of your care team to find the right treatment for your specific condition.

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Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization (HAE) FAQs

HAE is an effective and minimally invasive treatment for chronic hemorrhoids. An alternative to hemorrhoidectomy and banding surgery, there is no general anesthesia, no hospital stay and no painful recovery. You may return home the same day and resume normal activities.

During the procedure, a specially trained doctor called an interventional radiologist uses imaging to guide a special catheter into the body (through an artery in the wrist or leg) and advances it to the rectal artery. Special coils are inserted into the artery to cut off blood supply to the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink and symptoms (such as pain and bleeding) to go away.

Hemorrhoidal artery embolization is recommended for those with grade 1 to 3 internal hemorrhoids who have not responded to conservative treatment.

Minimally invasive embolization procedures like hemorrhoidal artery embolization are safer for the patient than surgery. It is performed on an outpatient basis, so there is no hospital stay and the associated risk of hospital-acquired infections. There are no incisions or stitching required. There is also no need for general anesthesia, only what is called “twilight” sedation to relax the patient. Hemorrhoid surgery is known for a long and painful recovery, compounded by the fact that the patient must continue to have bowel movements during recovery. With HAE, there is little or no pain at all during the recovery process.

Your doctor will discuss with you any medications or supplements you may be taking and may ask you to stop taking certain medications (such as blood thinners) prior to the procedure. You will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the hemorrhoidal artery embolization procedure. You may need to undergo blood work or diagnostic imaging prior to the procedure.

On the day of your procedure, you are asked to wear loose, comfortable clothing. Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure, as the sedation can impair your ability to drive. You will meet with the interventional radiologist, who will explain everything that will happen during the HAE procedure. You will be given twilight sedation. The procedure itself will take about an hour, and will not be painful or uncomfortable. After the procedure, an hour or two of observation will be required, and then you will be able to go home. You will be scheduled for a follow-up visit approximately two weeks after the hemorrhoidal artery embolization procedure.

The success rate of HAE is greater than 90%. Patients do not experience pain or discomfort. Approximately 75% of patients experience no bleeding for at least a year afterward.

Yes. Several clinical studies have been performed on the subject. One study found that there was a rebleeding rate of 13.6%. Another study found that the need to perform a repeat embolization procedure was less than 10%. When you talk with Dr. Nazar Golewale, he will share the most current information on hemorrhoid recurrence after HAE with you.