Major surgery for hemorrhoids can generally be avoided in favor of more sophisticated and often painless methods of treatment. Non-surgical methods of treatment are available to most patients as a viable alternative to a permanent hemorrhoid cure.

Bipolar Coagulation
Bipolar electrotherapy is applied for a directed coagulation effect of the mucous membrane near the hemorrhoid. Specialized probe designs are effective for the treatment of bleeding internal hemorrhoids. Bipolar electrotherapy is applied for a directed coagulation effect of the mucous membrane near the hemorrhoid. Specialized probe designs are effective for the treatment of bleeding internal hemorrhoids.

HAL
Hemorrhoidal Arterial Ligation (H.A.L.) is performed using a modified proctoscope in conjunction with a Doppler ultrasound flowmeter. A needle and thread is passed beneath the artery, and a knot is externally tied, to stop the blood flow to the hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoidolysis
Therapeutic galvanic waves applied directly to the hemorrhoid, produces a chemical reaction that shrinks and dissolves hemorrhoidal tissue. This technique is most effective when it is used on internal hemorrhoids. Therapeutic galvanic waves applied directly to the hemorrhoid, produces a chemical reaction that shrinks and dissolves hemorrhoidal tissue. This technique is most effective when it is used on internal hemorrhoids.

Injection
To shrink the hemorrhoid and its blood vessels, medicine is injected into the mucous membrane near the hemorrhoid. This method is reserved for the smallest of hemorrhoids.

Photocoagulation
A device called a photocoagulator focuses infrared light into a fine point at the end of a probe, which spotwelds the hemorrhoid in place. This is used for hemorrhoids that are actively bleeding.

Rubber Banding
A special instrument fits a small rubber band over part of the hemorrhoid. A tight rubber band stops the blood flow into the pinched-off portion, which falls off in about a week. This technique is widely used for hemorrhoids protruding into the anal canal.

For patients with a lesser degree of prolapse, Rubber Band Ligation is currently the most widely used procedure in the United States for treatment of internal hemorrhoids. In this procedure, the hemorrhoidal tissue is pulled into a double?sleeved cylinder to allow the placement of latex/rubber bands around the tissue. (fig. 1) Overtime, the tissue below the bands dies?off and is eliminated during a bowel movement. (fig. 2)

Rubber band ligation can be performed in a doctor's office and requires little preparation. Often, however, there is the need for more than one procedure to resolve a patient's condition. Rubber band ligation is most effective when combined with a sclerotherapy injection for prolapse.

Super Freezing
A cryogenic device uses liquid nitrogen to super freeze the hemorrhoid. This causes the affected tissue to slough off, so that new healthy tissue can grow in its place. This technique is most effective when it is used on external hemorrhoids.