With two months of zero elective surgery being carried out throughout the UK, indications today are that some hospitals are starting to re-introduce elective surgery. That, in time, will include Haemorrhoid treatment. Of course the more urgent cases involving cancers etc will be the first to be introduced but some surgeons are already starting to offer less urgent procedures. We anticipate that many people have been suffering their haemorrhoids during this lock-down period – their diet may have changed, their exercise pattern may have changed and indeed more people may have been spending more time sitting around and that in itself might have impacted on their haemorrhoidal symptoms.

As we anticipate a rush in the pubs and shops as they begin to open up over time, so we would anticipate a rush for people to get treated those conditions they have been suffering.

We at Rafaelo will be formulating a waiting list for those keen on treatment and, as soon as the surgeons re-open their doors, we will feed them with those names who have expressed interest during this period, on a first come first served basis. So, if you are likely to be seeking treatment once we get going again, why not register your interest with us now (by completing one of our online contact forms) and we will ensure that your name is put forward to your local surgeon when the time comes.

Keep safe and keep well.

HSJ Journal

The Guardian

Rafaelo® Procedure: a fast and effective new treatment of haemorrhoids

Written by: MR GIOVANNI D. TEBALA

Published: 25/10/2019 | Updated: 21/02/2020

Edited by: CAMERON GIBSON-WATT

Around 50% of adults experience haemorrhoids by the age of 50. Most of the time, they go away on their own, but if your haemorrhoids are persistent or reoccurring, you may want to consider this new treatment available. Mr Giovanni Tebala, a consultant colorectal, upper GI & laparoscopic surgeon based in Reading, Windsor and Slough, offers this treatment and briefly explains why it’s so efficient and effective for his patients.

 

 

What is the Rafaelo® Procedure?

The Rafaelo procedure is a new and effective procedure to treat the so-called haemorrhoidal disease. It’s minimally invasive and aims to shrink the engorged haemorrhoidal cushions with the use of radiofrequency energy.

 

Who needs the Rafaelo® procedure?

The Rafaelo procedure can be used on any patient with haemorrhoids. The particular nature of the Rafaelo treatment makes it suitable mostly for patients with first or second degreehaemorrhoids (internal haemorrhoids), although good results have been obtained also in some patients with third and fourth degree haemorrhoids.

 

What does the Rafaelo® procedure involve?

The Rafaelo procedure can be performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia. Clearly, the advantages of mini-invasiveness can be appreciated mostly if the patient is under local anaesthesia, with or without a minimal sedation. In these conditions, the patient should be able to leave the hospital a few minutes after the procedure.

 

A small proctoscope is inserted into the anus and, once the haemorrhoids to be treated have been identified, a radiofrequency probe is inserted into each cushion and activated for a few seconds. This energy causes shrinkage of the haemorrhoids and produces a minimal amount of scar tissue that fixes the haemorrhoids to the underlying tissues and eventually reduces the prolapse component.

 

The operation takes less than 20 minutes and can be associated to other procedures such as colonoscopy, Botox injection, manual proctopexy, partial haemorrhoidectomy and excision of skin tags.

 

Are there any risks of complications with the Rafaelo® procedure?

Each and every surgical procedure has a risk of complications. Untoward side effects and complications can happen also with Rafaelo, but the risk is very low.

 

Anal discomfort and discharge for few days are common side effects, but usually they don’t interfere with the patient’s everyday activities and can be easily tolerated.

 

Much more rarely, the patient can develop a perianal infection that may need antibiotics and/or drainage.

 

Minimal bleeding is possible 5-10 days after the procedure, but usually it is self-resolving and shouldn’t be of much concern.

 

How long does recovery take?

Immediately after the procedure the patient is able to go to the recovery room, if they had general anaesthesia or sedation. Otherwise, they can go straight to their room.

 

Post-procedure pain is usually minimal and well tolerated with common non-opioid pain-killers. We always suggest at least 24-48 hours of rest at home before going back to work, but patients should be able to restart their normal activities very soon after the procedure.

 

The full article is available by clicking this link.