Exclusive CRH O'Regan System

Digestive Health Associates is the only facility in Durango, La Plata County, and the entire Four Corners region offering the revolutionary CRH O'Regan System for hemorrhoid treatment.

Important Requirement: Patients must have had a colonoscopy within the last 3 years to be eligible for hemorrhoid banding treatment.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are engorged veins that may extend from the junction of the rectum and interior anus through the anal canal to the external anus. Hemorrhoids are a common finding, and when small they fall within the context of a normal examination.

While they frequently cause symptoms of minor bleeding, pressure discomfort, itching and protrusion of tissue during or following a bowel movement, they may cause no symptoms at all.

Minor hemorrhoidal symptoms may improve with a concerted effort to take in additional dietary fiber. A good product is Kellogg's All-Bran Bran Buds cereal. In many cases additional treatments are helpful. Surgery (hemorrhoidectomy) is generally reserved only for the most severe cases which cannot be managed with simpler means.

Hemorrhoid anatomy

Hemorrhoid anatomy (Source: Wikipedia)

CRH O'Regan System Hemorrhoid Banding

In June 2011 we added this new and improved form of band ligation to the options for hemorrhoid care available at Digestive Health. This cost effective treatment is a "kinder and gentler" form of band ligation that is available both in our clinic and during procedures performed at the Southwest Endoscopy Center.

The CRH O'Regan System is:

Fast

As little as 60 seconds

Painless

Return to work the same day

Proven

Extensively tested and effective

Easy

No anesthesia, fasting or special prep

Covered

Most insurance plans accepted

CRH O'Regan banding requires no sedation or special bowel preparation. Most individuals are treated with a single band placement at each visit, returning for second and third treatments at about 2 week intervals. This strategy allows maximal treatment benefit while minimizing risk for pain and treatment-related complications.

At our endoscopy facility and clinic, conventional hemorrhoidal banding has been largely replaced by CRH O'Regan banding, a procedure we have found to be much better tolerated.

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options Comparison

Hemorrhoid treatment comparison chart

Comparison of hemorrhoid treatment methods (Source: CRH Medical Corporation)

Treatment Options Available

CRH O'Regan Band Ligation (Primary Treatment)

Hemorrhoidal band ligation can be easily performed at the completion of a colonoscopy or in our office. Office-based banding does not require bowel cleansing, enemas, or sedation.

The doctor uses a device known as a ligator inside the rectum (above the border of sensitive anal canal skin) to suction the loose tissue at the base of the hemorrhoid into a small cup around which a tiny rubber band is placed, leaving a small firm ball of tissue about the size of a blueberry.

CRH O'Regan system banding is generally painless or associated with only minimal transient post-procedure discomfort whether or not sedation has been administered. This is in contrast to conventional banding techniques which can cause significant aching anorectal discomfort.

Healing Process

The healing process involves clot formation (thrombosis) in the affected hemorrhoid and sloughing of the banded tissue over the course of a week or so. While this is often a painless process, in some cases pain, protrusion of the thrombosed hemorrhoids and bleeding can be significant problems.

Treatment Schedule

Most patients need 3 band placements to achieve an optimal outcome. The first placement can be performed at the completion of your colonoscopy. Additional band placements are typically performed at 2-3 week intervals in our outpatient clinic. No preparation, cleansing or sedation is needed for these follow-up visits.

Important: Rare but potentially life-threatening infections have been reported after banding. Keep your doctor informed if you are having any persistent or worsening symptom such as pain, particularly in the presence of fever or chills, after this treatment.

Infrared Coagulation (IRC)

IRC uses an infrared light source to heat (photocoagulate) pea-sized dots of skin in the rectum just above the hemorrhoid. Typically, 6-12 coagulations are performed in a session, moving around the circumference of the lower rectum.

This treatment is painless when performed under sedation immediately following the completion of your colonoscopy. Recovery is usually immediate. A mild aching discomfort occasionally follows treatment for up to an hour.

This treatment works in part because the healing process leads to beneficial scar tissue formation which "tacks" the loose hemorrhoidal tissues to the underlying rectal wall and reduces blood flow into the remaining hemorrhoidal channels.

Note: IRC in our experience is less effective than band ligation and its use in our practice has been largely replaced by the use of CRH O'Regan band ligation.

Common Questions

Can hemorrhoids be treated during my colonoscopy?

Yes! Both CRH O'Regan band ligation and infrared coagulation (IRC) can be performed while you are sedated for colonoscopy. If you are experiencing hemorrhoidal symptoms and want your gastroenterologist to consider performing one of these treatments, please discuss this with us before your procedure.

How many treatments will I need?

Most patients require 2-3 treatments spaced about 2-3 weeks apart to achieve optimal results. The first treatment can be performed during your colonoscopy, and follow-up treatments are done in our clinic without any special preparation or sedation.

Will I be able to work after treatment?

Yes! With the CRH O'Regan System, most patients return to work the same day. The procedure is painless or causes only minimal transient discomfort.

Is this covered by insurance?

Yes, the CRH O'Regan System is covered by most insurance plans. Our staff will verify your coverage before your procedure.

Ready to Treat Your Hemorrhoids?

Experience the only painless, non-surgical hemorrhoid treatment available in Southwest Colorado.