[Emborrhoid: Rectal arteries embolization for hemorrhoid treatment]

Abstract

Although hemorrhoids are recognized as a very common cause of rectal bleeding and known for a long time, its treatment has evolved dramatically over the last twenty years. Among the new minimally invasive methods, the "Emborrhoid" technique consists into selective embolization of hemorrhoidal arteries, branches arising from the superior rectal arteries using microcoils. This technique is based on a demonstrated pathophysiological concept of arterial network hypertrophy in hemorrhoid disease. This technique was evaluated in an animal model and then in clinical research on more than 100 patients. No ischemic complications were identified. Studies describe an improvement of 60 to 80% of the symptoms, with on average 30% recurrences at two years. The recurrence rae is likely related to a technically incomplete embolization. Future prospects are focused on more selective embolization with Particulate embolic agents.