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Hôpital Cochin – Port-Royal · AP-HP · Université Paris Cité
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🩹 Centre — Hemorrhoid Embolization — Paris, Cochin AP-HP

Interventional Radiology · Hôpital Cochin AP-HP · Paris

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🩹 Centre — Hemorrhoid Embolization — Paris, Cochin AP-HP

Hemorrhoidal artery embolization · No surgery · Outpatient · Local anaesthesia · Paris

Quick answer

Bleeding internal hemorrhoids can be treated by embolization of the hemorrhoidal arteries, without surgery or any anal procedure. Performed on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia at Cochin AP-HP, this technique reduces the blood supply responsible for the bleeding.

Hemorrhoid Centre at Cochin AP-HP

The Hemorrhoid Embolization Centre at Hôpital Cochin AP-HP offers embolization of the superior hemorrhoidal arteries — an innovative percutaneous technique that treats symptomatic internal hemorrhoids (bleeding, prolapse) without surgery, without general anaesthesia, without an anal scar. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis via the right femoral artery.

This technique is particularly suited to bleeding grade II and III hemorrhoids, for which conservative treatments (lifestyle and diet measures, venotonics) have failed, and as an alternative to rubber band ligation or surgical hemorrhoidectomy. 100% covered at Cochin AP-HP.

Who can benefit from treatment?

  • Grade II–III internal hemorrhoids with recurrent bleeding or prolapse
  • Failure of conservative treatments (diet, venotonics, suppositories)
  • Contraindication to or refusal of hemorrhoid surgery (Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy)
  • Recurrence after rubber band ligation
  • Symptomatic hemorrhoids in elderly patients or those at surgical risk

Our techniques

🩸 Superior hemorrhoidal artery embolization

Selective catheterization of the superior hemorrhoidal arteries (branches of the inferior mesenteric artery) via the right femoral approach. Embolization using microcoils or glue. Reduces hemorrhoidal arterial flow, leading to regression of the hemorrhoidal plexuses.

📋 Prior colonoscopy recommended

Colonoscopy is essential before the procedure to rule out an associated anorectal condition (polyp, cancer) and confirm the diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids.

🩺 Preoperative CT angiography

Mapping of the hemorrhoidal arteries by CT angiography to plan the embolization and identify anatomical variants.

📊 Follow-up at 1 and 3 months

Follow-up consultation with a hemorrhoid symptom score (bleeding, prolapse, pain). Effective on bleeding in 80–85% of cases.

Results

80–85%
Bleeding resolved
Outpatient
No hospitalization
< 48h
Recovery

Frequently asked questions

What does hemorrhoidal embolization involve?
It involves reducing the arterial blood flow feeding the hemorrhoids via an endovascular approach, without surgical resection and without the post-operative pain usually associated with conventional surgery.
Is this technique suitable for all grades of hemorrhoids?
It is mainly intended for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids (bleeding, discomfort) of moderate grade, after medical treatment has failed. The indication is assessed with the proctologist.
Is there any time off work needed after the procedure?
Return to activities is generally quick, often on an outpatient basis, with a simpler recovery than after conventional hemorrhoid surgery.

Related pages

Scientific references

Emborrhoid: a new concept for the treatment of hemorrhoids with arterial embolization: the first 14 cases

Vidal V, Sapoval M, Sielezneff Y, De Parades V, Tradi F, Louis G, Bartoli JM, Pellerin O. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2015;38(1):72-78.

Safety and efficacy of superior rectal artery embolization with particles and metallic coils for the treatment of hemorrhoids (Emborrhoid technique)

Zakharchenko A, Kaitoukov Y, Vinnik Y, Tradi F, Sapoval M, Sielezneff I, Galkin E, Vidal V. Diagn Interv Imaging 2016;97(11):1079-1084.

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Hôpital Cochin AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist from the department. Last updated: July 2026.

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