Hemorrhoids Are Common — But Surgery Is Not Always Necessary
Hemorrhoids affect a large portion of the adult population at some point in life. Internal hemorrhoids — those located above the dentate line inside the rectum — are the primary cause of rectal bleeding associated with bowel movements, as well as prolapse and discomfort. For many patients, the first conversation about treatment happens with a gastroenterologist or colorectal surgeon, where the options presented often range from in-office procedures to surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
What patients in New Jersey may not know is that interventional radiology offers an additional approach: hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE), a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure that addresses the blood supply to hemorrhoidal tissue without surgical excision.
How Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization Works
HAE follows the same foundational principle as other embolization procedures. A thin catheter is guided through a small puncture in the skin to the arteries supplying the hemorrhoidal plexus. Tiny coils or particles are delivered to reduce blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue, which causes it to shrink and reduces bleeding. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation, takes approximately one to two hours, and most patients go home the same day.
- No surgical incision or removal of tissue
- Performed under local anesthesia with sedation
- Same-day discharge for most patients
- Primary target is bleeding internal hemorrhoids
Who Is a Candidate?
HAE is most appropriate for patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids — particularly those whose primary symptom is rectal bleeding. It is evaluated on an individual basis, and candidacy depends on the grade and characteristics of the hemorrhoids, vascular anatomy, and prior treatments attempted. Our team at MinVasive Medical in Paramus reviews your history and imaging before making any recommendation.
Located in Paramus — Serving New Jersey Patients
If you are dealing with hemorrhoid symptoms and want to understand your full range of options before deciding on surgery, a consultation with MinVasive Medical's interventional radiology team in Paramus, NJ provides a non-surgical perspective that is worth having before any final decision.
