Hemorrhoid Surgery

Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that develop in the anal canal due to excessive pressure on the rectal veins. They are fairly common in that over half of the population will likely experience hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. The most common causes of hemorrhoids are poor diet, lack of exercise and physical stresses. And they can be terribly uncomfortable, causing sufferers pain, itching, burning, and even bleeding in the rectal area. Depending upon severity, hemorrhoids are classified into four distinct degrees: first, second, third, and fourth degree hemorrhoids.

First Degree Hemorrhoids

First degree hemorrhoids are the least severe classification. They may bleed, but there is no rectal prolapse outside of the anal canal. Treatment options for first degree hemorrhoids include dietary changes, conventional and herbal preparations, Clot Removal, Sclerotherapy, Laser Coagulation, or Infrared Coagulation.

Second Degree Hemorrhoids

Second degree hemorrhoids do prolapse outside of the anal canal, usually during a bowel movement. However, they will also retract spontaneously. They can be treated with conventional or herbal preparations, Clot Removal, Sclerotherapy, Rubber Band Ligation, Laser Coagulation, Infrared Coagulation, or PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids.)

Third Degree Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid surgery requires manual placement back into the anal canal after prolapsing. Third degree hemorrhoids can be treated with conventional or herbal preparations, Clot Removal, Rubber Band Ligation, Hemorrhoidectomy, Laser Coagulation, Infrared Coagulation, or PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids.)

Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids

Fourth degree hemorrhoids involve an irreducible rectal prolapse. In other words, the hemorrhoid cannot be replaced manually and it is usually strangulated or thrombosed. When these hemorrhoids occur, the area where the rectal mucous membrane meets the anal skin is positioned almost outside the anal canal, and the rectal mucous membrane permanently occupies the muscular anal canal. In these severe instances, a Hemorrhoidectomy surgery or PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids) may be required.

Treatment Options For Hemorrhoids

Although hemorrhoids are annoying, they can frequently be treated easily with conventional or herbal over-the counter medication. For particularly troublesome hemorrhoids, medical intervention may be necessary to alleviate or even remove the hemorrhoid. Procedures include: Clot Removal, Rubber Band Ligation, Sclerotherapy, Laser Coagulation, Infrared Coagulation, Hemorrhoidectomy, or PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids.)

Clot Removal

This is a minor procedure performed on external hemorrhoids that can usually be done right in the doctor’s office. After applying a local anesthetic to the affected area, the doctor will simply cut out the clot. The wound will be tender for a while as it heals but the hemorrhoidal pain relief will be almost immediate. Little recovery time is required for this procedure.

Rubber Band Ligation

This is a procedure commonly performed on prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. As with clot removal, this simple procedure can usually be done in the doctor’s office. The doctor will place a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. This will cut off circulation, and cause the hemorrhoid to shrivel away. If several hemorrhoids are present, your health care provider will more than likely perform this procedure on only one at a time.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is also known as injection therapy. This procedure is used for curing small hemorrhoids. And in comparison to Rubber Band Ligation, injection therapy can be performed simultaneously on multiple hemorrhoids. However, it is not as effective on larger hemorrhoids. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a hardening agent into the base of the hemorrhoid that cuts off circulation. The development of sclerosed hemorrhoids is a possible complication of injection therapy, however, these cases are rare.

Laser Coagulation

This procedure uses a laser to burn off the troublesome hemorrhoid and destroy hemorrhoidal tissue. It is similar to Infrared Coagulation in which an infrared light is used in place of the laser.

Infrared Coagulation

Similar to Laser Coagulation, this procedure is used to burn off hemorrhoids. In this case, an infrared light is aimed at the base of the hemorrhoid, causing it to clot, then shrivel, and finally recede.

Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoid Surgery, also known as Hemorrhoidectomy, is typically utilized only for severe cases of hemorrhoids. It is usually recommended for large internal or external hemorrhoids, or for hemorrhoids that present extreme symptoms of pain or itching. During this procedure, the hemorrhoid is surgically removed under either local or general anesthesia. Hemorrhoidectomy usually requires a hospital stay of three to ten days followed by postoperative recovery at home for two to four weeks. In rare cases, hemorrhoid surgery can lead to severe pain, heavy bleeding, scarring, or the inability to pass a bowel movement.

PPH: Procedure For Prolapse And Hemorrhoids

This procedure is also known Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy surgery, Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy surgery, and Circumferential Mucosectomy surgery. PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue by excising a band of the prolapsed membrane with a stapling device. Basically, the excess tissue is removed and the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue is stapled, allowing the hemorrhoid to return to its original anatomical position. Some patients report less pain and a shorter postoperative recovery with this procedure. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential, if rare, risks involved. PPH can cause, persistent pain, bowel dysfunction, damage to the rectal wall and stretching of the sphincter.