Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal laser procedure for the treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids: experimental background and short-term clinical results of a new mini-invasive treatment.

Background: According to the "vascular" theory, arterial overflow in the superior hemorrhoidal arteries would lead to dilatation of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus. A 980-nm diode laser-pulsed shot causes shrinkage of tissue. The depth of shrinkage can be regulated by the power and duration of the laser beam.