Minimally Invasive Laser Surgery vs. Common Techniques for Hemorrhoid Treatment: Technology Assessment

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus, rarely dangerous, and typically treated within a few weeks. However, urgent medical care is required to avoid exacerbation of the condition. This study aimed to compare minimally invasive laser surgery with other common hemorrhoid surgical techniques and investigate the main outcome of these techniques.

Data sources: 

Four databases of PubMed (185), Scopus (59), ISI (143), CRD (10), and other resources (12) were explored.Study selection: All studies on laser surgery for patients with Grade 2 or 3 hemorrhoids examining pain outcome, reduction of hemorrhoids grade, and patient's quality of life after laser surgery were enrolled in this review.

Finally, 25 eligible articles were enrolled in the study. The results indicated that hemorrhoid was improved in the laser surgery group within the follow-up period with a higher average of quality-of-life self-assessment compared to other techniques. Overall satisfaction was higher in the laser group.

The evidence favored laser treatment in all studies, either clinical trials or studies without control groups. Ingeneral, laser surgery is considered an immune treatment for hemorrhoids with fewer postoperative complications such as bleeding, discomfort, and pain. Therefore, other than the cost, the rest of the evidence was in favor of laser surgery, and the laser technique is an appropriate alternative to conventional methods.