Infrared photocoagulation is a medical procedure to treat swollen blood vessels in the anal area that are only small and medium in sizes. During the treatment, the physician may use a device, which generates a strong beam of infrared light. The high temperature generated by the infrared light may cause a scar tissue that cuts through the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. As such, the hemorrhoid may die, and a scar will be formed on the wall of the anal area. The scar tissue may also stick in place the nearby vessels so they will not protrude anymore from the anus.
Procedure during Infrared Photocoagulation
Physicians recommend photocoagulation therapy for cases where the hemorrhoids are small and inside the anus. This is also an ideal treatment for a recurring condition. This medical treatment could be done with other tools, such as electric current or laser, which can be used to cut the blood supply in the hemorrhoids. Infrared photocoagulation can be done in a physician’s office. You may feel heat and some pain during the treatment, and you may also feel an uncomfortable pain and sensation of being full in the lower abdomen. There is also the sensation as if you need to defecate after the treatment.
Infrared photocoagulation may work for seven out of 10 people who are suffering from this disease. However, the improvements may not last, so follow-up surgery may also be required after a year.
What to Expect After Infrared Photocoagulation
Bleeding from the anal area may happen seven to 10 days after the treatment, when the hemorrhoids naturally fall off. Bleeding is only minimal and will naturally stop after several days.
There are also certain risks of coagulation therapy, which includes pain during the surgical treatment, anal bleeding. Anal infection, discomfort during bowel movement, and temporary incapacity to urinate. The latter may subject the patient to catheterization.
What to Think About Coagulation Therapy
The effectiveness of coagulation therapy largely depends on the expertise and skills of the physician to make changes in regular bowel habits, which makes bowel movement easier.
Although coagulation therapy is quite expensive, it is more affordable compared to surgery, which requires hospital confinement and complete bed rest.
Meanwhile, not all physicians have the skills and the tools required to perform coagulation therapy. This could help you decide which treatment to choose. Ask your physician which type of treatment he is most familiar with, how many times he has done the treatment, and how satisfied patient have been with the result.
Using laser is not yet completely proven to be more effective compared to other types of treatments. Hemorrhoids treatments using lasers are more costly, take longer recuperation period and may also cause damage to the surrounding anal area and even cause excessive scarring.
In order to minimize the risk of bleeding, it is best to avoid taking aspirin and other NSAIDs for about a week before and after the treatment.
Physicians also recommend that you take bowel softeners and consume foods that are high in fiber to make certain that defecation will be easier and smoother.
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