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Radiofrequency Ablation vs Doppler-guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation in the Treatment of Haemorrhoidal Disease

Radiofrequency Haemorrhoidal Thermoablation Versus Doppler-guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation With Mucopexy in the Treatment of Haemorrhoidal Disease: a Multicenter Randomized Non-inferiority Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06170736
Acronym
RADIOLIGA
Enrollment
168
Registered
2023-12-14
Start date
2024-02-21
Completion date
2030-09-15
Last updated
2026-03-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Grade II/III Haemorrhoids, Haemorrhoids, Internal Haemorrhoids

Keywords

Haemorrhoids, Radiofrequency, Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation

Brief summary

Surgical treatment of grade II/III internal haemorrhoidal disease is indicated in the case of medical and/or instrumental treatment failure. Minimal invasive alternatives to haemorrhoidectomy have been introduced in the last decades to treat grade II/III haemorrhoids. Doppler-Guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DGHAL) represents a good therapeutic option in this condition with good short and mid-term outcomes but postoperative recurrence rates up to 35% at 5 years. Recently, a technique of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been introduced with promising outcomes. A recent systematic review reported a significant improvement of preoperative symptoms and a recurrence rate \< 5%. To date, there is no study comparing DGHAL to RFA in the treatment of grade II/III haemorrhoids. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the non-inferiority in terms of failure rate of haemorrhoidal radiofrequency ablation compared to Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation, associated with mucopexy, in the treatment of grade II and III haemorrhoidal disease

Interventions

PROCEDUREDoppler-Guided Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation

The principle consists of locating the signal emitted by the haemorrhoidal arteries using a Doppler probe. Once identified, the arteries are ligated in order to remove the arterial vascularization of the haemorrhoidal bundles. The treatment of the prolapse is reinforced by a folding of the mucosa of the lower rectum, called mucopexy.

PROCEDURERadiofrequency ablation

The principle consists of inserting a metal probe under the mucosa of the anus, in contact with the haemorrhoidal bundles to be treated. A source of radiofrequency is then delivered through this probe in contact with the haemorrhoidal veins which will be sclerosed. The procedure is repeated for each haemorrhoidal bundle to be treated.

Sponsors

Centre Hospitalier Departemental Vendee
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Major patient, * With symptomatic Grade II or III haemorrhoidal disease, * Requiring surgical management, * Patient able to understand the protocol and having given written informed consent to participate in the study, * Patient affiliated to the social security system or entitled to it.

Exclusion criteria

* Hemostasis disorders * Active external haemorrhoidal disease (thrombosis) * History of surgical procedure for treatment of haemorrhoids (instrumental treatment is not a contra-indication) * Associated proctological pathology (anal fissure, chronic suppuration, external rectal prolapse) * History of colorectal cancer * History of inflammatory bowel disease * History of rectal resection * Patient participating in another interventional clinical research protocol involving a drug or clinical investigation of a medical device * Patient who is pregnant, breastfeeding or able to procreate without effective contraception\* at the time of inclusion * Patient under guardianship, curators or deprived of liberty. * Patient under court protection. * oral contraceptive (pill), monthly vaginal ring, weekly transdermal patch, subcutaneous implant, intrauterine devices (IUD), or sterilisation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Failure rate at one year post-operativelyone year post-operativelyThe evaluation of failure rate will be based on the calculation of the HDSS score grouping the different symptoms (pain, discomfort, bleeding, soiling and prolapse). Failure rate will be defined by a score greater than or equal to the preoperative score or by a reoperation (surgical or instrumental) for relapse of the symptoms.

Countries

France

Contacts

CONTACTAgnès DORION
agnes.dorion@ght85.fr251446380
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORMarc-Henri JEAN, Dr

Centre Hospitalier Departemental Vendée

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 14, 2026