Learn About Hemorrhoid Surgery & Your Alternative Options
In some cases, your doctor may recommend hemorrhoid surgery, known as hemorrhoidectomy, to remove hemorrhoids. If your doctor has recommended surgery for your hemorrhoids, it is a good idea to learn all that you can about the procedure ahead of time, so you can be comfortable and clear on what to expect.
Typically, hemorrhoid surgery is only needed for the most severe cases. In the vast majority of cases, a less invasive hemorrhoid treatment, such as rubber band ligation, can be just as effective for symptomatic hemorrhoids, without the pain and recovery time.
However, if surgery for hemorrhoids is needed, several types of hemorrhoidectomies are available, and most can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Types of Hemorrhoid Surgery
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Conventional surgical hemorrhoidectomy:
- This procedure involves clamping, tying off, and then cutting the hemorrhoidal tissue away. The wound is then sutured, and gauze and antibiotic ointment are applied. This procedure can result in more pain and recovery time than other hemorrhoid surgery methods, and may result in a short hospital stay in some cases.
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Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (PPH):
- This technique utilizes a special stapling device that cuts through the involved vessels and staples the tissue back together again. This procedure may be a bit less painful than a conventional hemorrhoidectomy, and is becoming more popular with many surgeons. However, not all cases are suitable for this type of hemorrhoids surgery. While it generally results in less postoperative pain and disability, stapled hemorrhoidectomy still requires a significant recovery time, and, like any surgical procedure, is accompanied by a small risk of significant post-surgical complications.
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Harmonic scalpel removal:
- A special scalpel that relies on ultrasound waves is used as a cutting device in this procedure, and allows for sealing of some of the associated blood vessels. This hemorrhoids surgery is commonly used for large hemorrhoids, or for situations that require removal to be as bloodless as possible. The recovery time and pain involved with harmonic scalpel procedures may be a bit less than for conventional hemorrhoid surgery.
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Laser removal:
- This is an effective hemorrhoid-removal procedure that is utilized for certain patients. During this procedure, a laser beam frees up and removes the involved hemorrhoidal tissue. The heat of the laser cauterizes the blood vessels so the hemorrhoid-removal procedure is nearly bloodless. This hemorrhoid surgery method is commonly performed on an outpatient basis, and may result in a bit less pain than a conventional surgical hemorrhoidectomy.
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Atomizing:
- As the name suggests, this hemorrhoids surgery involves blasting a hemorrhoid into very small pieces. A small vacuum is used in conjunction with the atomization tool to suck up the tissue. This is one of the most recently developed hemorrhoid-removal procedures.
Find a Doctor
While hemorrhoid surgery is a valid treatment in many circumstances, confirm with your doctor that you do indeed require surgery, as the majority of patients can find relief from hemorrhoids using non-surgical treatments. For details on alternate treatments like the CRH O’Regan System, as well as to find out if you need hemorrhoid surgery, find a physician now.