Bushey Hospital now offers the latest surgical development for a condition that is reckoned to affect one in two of us at some time in our lives. The technique is so new that less than twenty consultants are offering this in the UK, with only a handful of these based in the south.
This potentially dehabilitating condition is not always recognised for the serious impact it can have upon quality of life, and is certainly not readily discussed. However, a patient who has benefited from the procedure was so pleased that he has offered a testimonial under conditions of anonymity.
“Life was awful,” says H.P, who lives in Edgware, “but thanks to the new HALO procedure offered by Mr Colin Elton at Spire Bushey Hospital I feel that I am well on the road to recovery.”
H.P’s situation was complicated in that the blood loss he had experienced through his haemorrhoids over the years had developed into anaemia which made him feel very tired with significant lack of energy. He had already undergone the more traditional banding operation, but this did not resolve the problem.
“I work from home,” says H.P., “but even so it was difficult to get anything done. My condition deteriorated, there was a downturn and my blood reserves went down. I wanted something done fast. My GP recommended Mr Elton, and that led me to Spire Bushey Hospital. The staff were very good, it was the first time I had been there and Mr Elton was very gentle.”
This new, less invasive procedure is called HALO - Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation. The operation uses a miniature Doppler ultrasound device to locate all the arteries supplying the haemorrhoids as they come down from the rectum under the lining of the bowel. The device also has a small window which allows a stitch to be placed around the artery thus cutting off the blood supply to the pile. During the course of the procedure all the arteries supplying the piles are located and tied off. Over the next few days and weeks, the piles shrink away and the symptoms resolve.
“I can feel in myself that I can do more,” says H.P. “more sporty things like normal. I just wanted to get myself sorted out, I didn’t mind if it was a new technique or not, but I knew from experience that this was working. It takes a long time to get over anaemia so I wasn’t expecting my life to be transformed overnight, however my piles are sorted now and I can feel in myself that I am getting back to normal. I would recommend the hospital and Mr Elton to anyone. ”
Mr Colin Elton, Consultant General and Colorectal Surgeon said: “When I look at my own surgical practice, apart from those who have undergone bowel cancer surgery, the patients whose lives have been consistently transformed and who are incredibly grateful are those who have undergone the HALO procedure.”
For more information or to book an appointment please call Spire Bushey Hospital on 020 8901 5505.
More information about Mr Colin Elton
