Haemorrhoidectomy - Routine

Hemorrhoids can be internal or external, and a hemorrhoidectomy is surgery to remove them.

Surgical intervention is rarely used as the first line of defence. When all else fails, hemorrhoidectomy is a safe and effective procedure that not only makes haemorrhoids easier to live with, but also eliminates them completely.

Disease Overview:

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can't see or feel them, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can cause: Painless bleeding during bowel movements.

Signs and Symptoms:

Symptoms of hemorrhoids can be listed as following:

• Itchy anus.
• Hard lumps near the anus that feel sore or tender.
• Pain or ache in the anus, especially when you sit.
• Rectal bleeding.

Disease Causes

Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to: Straining during bowel movements. Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet. Having chronic diarrhea or constipation.

Diagnosis

Your doctor might be able to see external hemorrhoids. Diagnosing internal hemorrhoids might include examination of your anal canal and rectum.

Digital examination. Your doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into your rectum. He or she feels for anything unusual, such as growths.

Visual inspection. Because internal hemorrhoids are often too soft to be felt during a rectal exam, your doctor might examine the lower portion of your colon and rectum with an anoscope, proctoscope or sigmoidoscope.

Your doctor might want to examine your entire colon using colonoscopy if:

• Your signs and symptoms suggest you might have another digestive system disease
• You have risk factors for colorectal cancer
• You are middle-aged and haven't had a recent colonoscopy

Disease Treatment

If your hemorrhoids produce only mild discomfort, your doctor might suggest over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories or pads. These products contain ingredients such as witch hazel, or hydrocortisone and lidocaine, which can temporarily relieve pain and itching.

External hemorrhoid thrombectomy:

If a painful blood clot (thrombosis) has formed within an external hemorrhoid, your doctor can remove the hemorrhoid, which can provide prompt relief. This procedure, done under local anesthesia, is most effective if done within 72 hours of developing a clot.

For persistent bleeding or painful hemorrhoids, your doctor might recommend one of the other minimally invasive procedures available. These treatments can be done in your doctor's office or other outpatient setting and don't usually require anesthesia

- Rubber band ligation

- Injection (sclerotherapy)

- Coagulation (infrared, laser or bipolar)

Only a small percentage of people with hemorrhoids require surgery.

Hemorrhoid removal (hemorrhoidectomy): your surgeon removes excessive tissue that causes bleeding. The surgery can be done with local anesthesia combined with sedation, spinal anesthesia or general anesthesia.

Hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective and complete way to treat severe or recurring hemorrhoids.