Common operation, uncommon complication. Bleeding from superior haemorrhoidal artery after minimally invasive procedure for hemorrhoids - a case report

ABSTRACT Minimally invasive procedure for hemorrhoids is one of the commonest new wave operations done for prolapsed hemorrhoids. The diameter of the stapled tissue is critical in this operation, and an increase in the same could include more tissue in the anvil, with disastrous results. This is a case report of a post minimally invasive procedure for hemorrhoids bleed, which was refractory to two local oversewing attempts. When the bleeding was massive, an angiogram was obtained. This revealed a pseudo aneurysm of the left superior haemorrhoidal artery, which was embolized, stopping the bleed. The stapler dimensions were studied and the possible cause of the event was arrived at. The specific stapler used had a diameter of 2 mm more than the regular Medtronic and Ethicon staplers, possibly including more of the rectal wall, and the superior haemorrhoidal artery as well. This case report documents a rare and potentially fatal complication of a simple procedure