Typical in-office procedure
Interventional radiologists
HAE is designed to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. It may be considered for patients experiencing:
Georgia Endovascular does not treat external or thrombosed hemorrhoids with HAE.
Your medical history, hemorrhoid grade, previous treatments, and overall health all play a role in determining whether HAE is appropriate.
HAE is primarily used for internal hemorrhoids. Patients with external or thrombosed hemorrhoids, advanced grade 4 prolapse, certain prior colorectal surgeries, or other medical considerations may need a different treatment approach.
The best way to determine whether HAE is appropriate is through an individualized medical evaluation.
Access: Your physician begins with a small puncture to access an artery, typically through the wrist or groin. There is no large surgical incision.
Navigate: Using advanced imaging, a thin catheter is carefully guided through the blood vessels toward the arteries supplying the internal hemorrhoids.
Reduce blood flow: Small embolic materials are delivered through the catheter to selectively reduce blood flow to the hemorrhoidal vessels.
Shrink: With less blood flow reaching the hemorrhoidal tissue, the enlarged hemorrhoids gradually shrink and symptoms may improve.
Recover: Because HAE does not involve surgically removing hemorrhoid tissue, there is no hemorrhoidectomy wound to heal. Most patients return home the same day and resume normal activities as their recovery allows.
For appropriately selected patients, HAE offers a different approach to hemorrhoid treatment than traditional surgery.
HAE is performed as an outpatient procedure, and most patients return home the same day.
HAE reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoids rather than surgically cutting them out.
Treatment is performed through a small catheter access point rather than a traditional surgical incision.
Advanced imaging allows your physician to identify and treat the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoidal tissue.
We accept Medicare and most major health insurance plans. Our team can verify your benefits and help you understand your expected coverage before treatment.
HAE is an outpatient procedure and typically takes about 45 minutes, although the total time you spend at the treatment center will be longer because of preparation, recovery, and monitoring. Your care team will provide specific instructions about when to arrive, medications, eating and drinking before the procedure, and what to expect after treatment. Most patients are able to go home the same day.
Recovery varies from patient to patient, but HAE generally allows patients to return to normal activities more quickly than traditional hemorrhoid surgery. You may experience temporary discomfort, cramping, or other symptoms as the treated hemorrhoidal tissue responds to the reduced blood flow. Your physician will provide individualized instructions for managing discomfort and returning to work, exercise, and other activities.
| Treatment | Approach | Anesthesia | Typical setting | Surgical wound |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhoid artery embolization (HAE) WHAT WE DO | Catheter-based embolization | Sedation/local anesthesia | Outpatient | No |
| Rubber band ligation | Cuts off blood flow with a band | Usually none | Outpatient | No |
| Sclerotherapy | Cuts off blood flow with a band | Usually none | Outpatient | No |
| Hemorrhoidectomy | Surgically removes hemorrhoid tissue | Usually general or regional | Surgical facility | Yes |
| Stapled hemorrhoidopexy | Surgically repositions hemorrhoidal tissue | General anesthesia | Surgical facility | Yes |
Our board-certified interventional radiologists specialize in minimally invasive, image-guided procedures.
Real-time imaging allows your physician to precisely navigate the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoids and target the appropriate vessels.
Hemorrhoid artery embolization is performed in our office without an overnight hospital stay, helping minimize disruption to your daily routine.
HAE treatment is available at locations in Atlanta, Tucker, and Stockbridge. Each location provides the same specialized care from our interventional radiology team.
3225 Cumberland Blvd. Southeast
Suite 520
Atlanta, GA 30339
1975 Lakeside Pkwy
Suite 300
Tucker, GA 30084
1035 Southcrest Dr.
Suite 220 + 250
Stockbridge, GA 30281
Hemorrhoid Artery Embolization (HAE) is a minimally invasive treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. A thin catheter is guided through an artery in the wrist or groin to the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoids. Tiny embolic materials are then used to reduce blood flow, allowing the hemorrhoidal tissue to shrink over time.
No. HAE is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure rather than traditional hemorrhoid surgery. It does not require surgically removing the hemorrhoids or creating a surgical wound in the anal area.
HAE is intended for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. It may be appropriate for selected patients with grade 1, 2, or 3 internal hemorrhoids. Georgia Endovascular does not treat external or thrombosed hemorrhoids with HAE.
HAE is performed using local anesthesia and sedation to help keep you comfortable during the procedure. Some temporary discomfort may occur afterward as your body responds to treatment.
Recovery varies, but many patients are able to return to their normal routine relatively quickly. Your physician will give you specific guidance based on your procedure and how you are recovering.
Hemorrhoidectomy surgically removes hemorrhoid tissue, while HAE reduces blood flow to the hemorrhoids so they can shrink. HAE does not create the surgical wound associated with hemorrhoidectomy and is performed on an outpatient basis.
HAE is covered by most major insurance plans when medically necessary. Our team verifies your benefits in advance so you know what to expect before treatment.
Scheduling
Please contact our dedicated specialists to schedule a consultation today.
