Objectives: To assess the usefulness of hemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL) for internal hemorrhoids with a newly devised instrument (the Moricorn).
Methods: We devised a new instrument (the Moricorn) that is used in conjunction with a Doppler flowmeter. This instrument allows for easy and safe ligation of the hemorrhoidal artery. HAL with the Moricorn was performed on 116 patients with internal hemorrhoids who had episodes of anal pain, bleeding, and prolapse. One month after treatment, the effect was evaluated on the basis of improvement of symptoms and the shrinkage of hemorrhoidal tissue.
Results: The treatment's effect was observed in 50 of 52 patients (96%) with pain, 50 of 64 (78%) with prolapse, and 92 of 96 (95%) with bleeding. No patient required anesthesia throughout the entire procedure. No major complications were encountered with this treatment.
Conclusions: HAL with the Moricorn is a simple, safe, and effective method. However, further observations predicated on a longer follow-up, a larger number of patients, and comparisons with other conventional treatments are called for.