Patient Information
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Preparing for the procedure
Dr Osman will work closely with a multidisciplinary team that includes gastroenterologists and surgeons. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive evaluation of your condition before deciding on treatment.
Before the procedure, you will have a detailed consultation with Dr Osman. During this meeting, he will explain the steps involved in the procedure and answer any questions or concerns you might have.
If there is any uncertainty regarding your diagnosis or condition, additional tests may be recommended. These could include blood tests or imaging scans to gather more information and ensure that haemorrhoid artery embolisation is the right choice for you.
Arriving for the Procedure: When you arrive at the hospital, you will be taken to the Interventional Radiology suite, where your medical team will be ready to welcome you and ensure you’re comfortable and prepared.
Preparation: The team will insert an intravenous (IV) cannula, which will be used to administer medications during the procedure. This may include sedation to help you relax, but general anesthesia is not needed, making the experience less invasive. You will also have the option to remain awake and watch the procedure on a screen in real time, if you’re curious and prefer to stay alert.
The Procedure: The procedure will typically take about 30 minutes to an hour to complete. During this time, you will be lying comfortably while Dr Osman uses imaging guidance to navigate the catheter and treat the haemorrhoidal arteries. You will not feel pain during this process.
Post-Procedure Monitoring: After the procedure is finished, you will be moved to the recovery area, where you will be monitored for about an hour to ensure there are no immediate complications. After this, you’ll spend an additional hour in the outpatient department for further observation.
Going Home: Once the two-hour recovery period is complete, you will be discharged from the hospital. You can go home the same day and resume your daily activities.
On the day of the procedure
Recovery
One of the key advantages of this procedure is the quick recovery time. Most patients can resume normal activities on the same day as the procedure. There is typically no need for specialised post-operative care or follow-up nursing, allowing you to return to your daily routine with minimal interruption.
Procedure outcomes
This treatment is highly effective in managing symptoms with patients experience significant improvement after the procedure. Studies have shown a marked reduction in symptoms such as bleeding, and patients often report an improvement in their overall quality of life.
One of the key benefits of this procedure is that it does not affect the appearance of the anorectal area or compromise bowel control (continence). Additionally, the procedure can be repeated if symptoms return over time. Should it be necessary, embolisation does not interfere with the option of pursuing other treatments in the future, such as endoscopy or surgery.
This makes Haemorrhoid artery embolisation an excellent first-line treatment, especially for patients with moderate symptoms, particularly bleeding.
Possible side effects
The rate of major complications following this procedure is extremely low, with serious complications being rare.
Some patients may experience mild side effects, including what’s known as ‘post-embolisation syndrome’. This can involve a slight fever and localised irritation in the treated area. However, these symptoms are generally short-lived and tend to resolve on their own within a few days.