Hemorrhoid Surgery Options

There are two types of hemorrhoids, those which remain in the anal cavity and those that protrude outside the anal cavity. In most cases of internal hemorrhoids, the patient may actually be unaware that they have hemorrhoids as they experience no pain or discomfort because this area has no pain sensors. Typically the only indication of an internal hemorrhoid may be bleeding when having a bowel movement. However, untreated internal hemorrhoids may lead to a more serious condition such as prolapsed hemorrhoids or a strangulated hemorrhoid. A prolapsed hemorrhoid is simply when the internal hemorrhoid becomes so expanded that it pushes out of the anal cavity and a strangulated hemorrhoid is when a prolapsed hemorrhoid becomes trapped outside the anal cavity due to a muscle spasm and then the blood supply to the hemorrhoid gets cut off.

External hemorrhoids typically cause people the most discomfort just by the very fact that they are exposed to more daily stresses, this type of condition causes pain, swelling and inching. In most instances, external hemorrhoids are much more readily recognizable due to the symptoms presented.

In most cases, hemorrhoids are manageable with some simple lifestyle changes and over the counter medications but in more severe cases, surgery may be required.

These are some of the more common surgical treatments for chronic or severe hemorrhoids:

Rubber Band Ligation - A small rubber band is wrapped tight around the hemorrhoid so that the blood supply is cut off and then the hemorrhoid is just naturally expelled from the body.

Hemorrhoidectomy - This is exactly what it sounds like, a surgery to remove the hemorrhoid. This is only used in the worst cases because the recovery is painful and it may lead to incontinence.

Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy- This procedure is typically used on prolapsed hemorrhoids and not external hemorrhoids. It is similar to the rubber band ligation in that it works to disrupt the blood flow to the hemorrhoid so that it can be easily removed.

Sclerotherapy - An injectable irritant (sclerosant) is inserted into the hemorrhoid itself and this causes the veins to harden and then the hemorrhoid shrivels up.

Doppler Guided Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation - In this procedure, an ultrasound (Doppler) devise is used to find hemorrhoidal arteries which are then cut off with a simple stitch. This procedure is very simple and easy, has a very high success rate, less pain than surgery and very few complications.

Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids (PPH) - A stapler is used to move the anal canal tissue in such a way that blood flow is cut off to the hemorrhoid and it shrinks, this usually takes four to eight weeks. This is also less painful than a hemorrhoidectomy because it is done in the area with no pain sensors, it also has a faster recovery time and less complications.

These are come of the more common surgical hemroid treatment options. There are other options available that your doctor may recommend and some other options that have fallen out of favor with the advent of the more effective treatments currently available. Only in the most severe cases is it necessary to have surgery and with any luck you will be able to control you hemorrhoids without surgery.

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