Preparation for Hemorrhoid Surgery

Hemorrhoids are a common condition that can usually be treated at home with a few simple dietary and lifestyle. However, for hemorrhoids that are particularly troublesome or persistent, it may be necessary to be evaluated by a medical professional for possible hemorrhoid surgery. Here’s some information on when to go, and what to expect at the doctor’s office.

When should I see a doctor for possible Hemorrhoid Surgery?

See your health care provider if rectal bleeding is present, as this symptom can also be associated with other, more serious disorders, such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, and Crohn’s disease. Also, have your doctor evaluate hemorrhoids that are accompanied by a fever, or do not go away after a week of home treatment.

The Doctor’s Office

Your health care provider will perform a digital rectal exam and possibly an anoscopy to evaluate your hemorrhoids and determine the severity of the case.

Your doctor will do a digital rectal exam to check for abnormalities in the pelvic and lower abdominal area. For hemorrhoid sufferers, a digital rectal exam may be required to rule out more serious conditions such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, or Crohn’s disease. This test can also help your health care provider determine the severity of the hemorrhoid and the best possible method for treating them. During a digital rectal examination, your health care provider will insert a lubricated gloved finger from one hand into the rectum. He or she will then use the other hand to press on the lower abdomen or pelvis. This examination is also used to evaluate the prostate gland in men and the uterus and ovaries in women. The bladder can sometimes be felt during a digital rectal exam.

The anoscopy test allows your doctor to examine the anus, anal canal, and the lower rectum for abdominal growths (such as tumors or polyps), inflammation, bleeding, and other conditions. To perform an anoscopy, the doctor will use an anoscope, which is a short, rigid, hollow tube that may contain a light source. The anoscope enlarges the rectum and allows your health care provider to look at the last two inches of the colon, otherwise known as the anal canal. A specimen for biopsy can also be taken during the anoscopy. As the scope is carefully removed, the lining of the anal canal can be carefully inspected.

Your health care provider can use these two tests to evaluate your hemorrhoids and determine the best method of treatment. He or she may prescribe a conventional hemorrhoidal preparation such as 2.5% hydrocortisone cream. For hemorrhoids that have not responded to self-care or prescription medications, it may be necessary to undergo a hemorrhoid surgery to alleviate or remove the hemorrhoid. Not all hemorrhoids need to be checked out by a medical professional, read through all the articles on the site for more information.

Surgery Procedures

Clot Removal

This is a minor procedure that can usually be performed right in the doctor’s office to treat external hemorrhoids. Your doctor will apply a local anesthetic to the affected area, and then he or she 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

Rubber band ligation is the most commonly performed procedure for 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. The band will cut off circulation, and cause the hemorrhoid to shrivel away. The hemorrhoid will fall off on its own in about a week. 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, is a procedure used for curing small hemorrhoids. 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. As with rubber band ligation, the hemorrhoid will fall off by itself in about a week. The development of sclerosed hemorrhoids is a possible complication of injection therapy, however, these cases are rare.

Laser or Infrared Coagulation

These procedures use either a laser or an intense beam of infrared light to burn off the troublesome hemorrhoid and destroy hemorrhoidal tissue. These procedures do not usually require a hospital stay, but they may require a more lengthy post-operative recovery than other procedures.

Hemorrhoidectomy

Hemorrhoid Surgery, also known as Hemorrhoidectomy, is usually recommended 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.Some hemorrhoids will require medical attention and some will not.

PPH: Procedure For Prolapse And Hemorrhoids

This procedure is also known Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy, Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy, and Circumferential Mucosectomy. PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue by excising a band of the prolapsed membrane with a stapling device. 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. Risks of PPH include persistent pain, bowel dysfunction, damage to the rectal wall and stretching of the sphincter.