Clinical applications of radiofrequency in proctology: a review.

The radiofrequency scalpel is an innovative instrument which allows to cut and coagulate tissues in an atraumatic manner, conversely to the electric scalpel. The authors describe the use of radiofrequencies in proctol- ogy by making a literature review for every ma- jor proctologic disease (hemorrhoids, anal fistu- las, anal fissure, sinus pilonidalis, hypertrophied anal papillae). Many techniques have been de- veloped with radiofrequencies in hemorrhoids treatment: coagulation, ablation with plication, Milligan Morgan and Parks hemorrhoidectomy. In the treatment of anal fissures, radiofrequency subcutaneous lateral internal sphincterotomy has been described. For anal fistulas, both ra- diofrequency fistulotomy and fistulectomy. Fi- nally, radiofrequency sinotomy for sinus pi- lonidalis and coagulation for hypertrophied anal papillae are present in literature. The analysis of the results obtained with ra- diofrequency surgery compared with those of the "classic" surgery for proctologic disease shows that in most of them radiosurgery facili- tates, accelerates and improves the surgical procedure.