Modern laser technologies in the treatment of hemorrhoids (literature review)

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common anorectal diseases, often requiring surgical intervention. Milligan–Morgan hemorrhoidectomy remains the gold standard of the surgical treatment, but is associated with significant postoperative pain and complications. Modern laser technologies, especially diode-based systems, have become a minimally invasive alternative with favorable results. Aim. To summarize and analyze the current literature on modern laser technologies in the treatment of hemorrhoids, paying special attention to surgery techniques, clinical results and complications. Materials and methods. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, and eLIBRARY for studies published before August 2025. Acceptable publications were clinical trials, original research, and a series of laser intervention cases. When extracting the data, the type of laser, wavelength, treatment protocol, patient characteristics, outcomes, and complications were taken into account. Results. Two main laser approaches have been identified: hemorrhoidal laser procedure and laser hemorrhoidoplasty. Hemorrhoidal laser procedure, typically employing diode laser with Doppler guidance, achieved high effectiveness (84–91%) with minimal pain and low complication rates. The laser hemorrhoidoplasty, using diode lasers at 980, 1470, or 1560 nm, showed advantages over traditional hemorrhoidectomy, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and quicker recovery. Comparative studies confirmed lower complication rates and higher satisfaction, though recurrence rates (5–28%) remained notable, especially in advanced stages. Recent studies suggest that combining laser hemorrhoidoplasty with mucopexy or desarterization improves longterm outcomes and reduces recurrence. Conclusion. Diode-based laser technologies represent an effective, minimally invasive alternative to traditional hemorrhoidectomy, improving recovery and reducing complications. However, recurrence in advanced disease, the high cost of equipment and the need for specialized training limit wider use. Multicenter studies are necessary to develop standardized treatment protocols and optimize patient selection