Hemorrhoids are quite common and often go away on their own. However, there are severe cases that can cause extreme pain and reduce someone's quality of life. In severe cases where the hemorrhoids are affecting a person's ability to do day-to-day tasks, there is a procedure — a hemorrhoidectomy — that can remove the hemorrhoids.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids occur when the veins in your anus or rectum are swollen.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids can include:
It is possible to feel no pain when experiencing hemorrhoids. If no pain is present, this will generally mean you have internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids will cause more pain due to the hemorrhoids being around the anus.
What Is a Hemorrhoidectomy?
A hemorrhoidectomy procedure removes internal or external hemorrhoids. This is typically only an option if all other treatment options have not worked for you. Depending on the patient, you'd receive either local anesthesia to numb the area or general anesthesia to be put to sleep.
Risks of a Hemorrhoidectomy
As with any procedure, there are some risks involved.
Potential risks of a hemorrhoidectomy can include:
Hemorrhoidectomy Surgical Procedure
A hemorrhoidectomy is always performed in a medical setting under the observation and care of trained medical professionals. Your doctor will inform you of what you need to do before the procedure. You may be told you are unable to eat 6 to 12 hours before the surgery or to stop taking certain medications.
On the day of your procedure, the first step is to insert an IV to prevent infection during the procedure. This is also when you will be given either local or general anesthesia.
Once the anesthesia kicks in, your doctor will find the hemorrhoids and make smalls cuts surrounding the tissues. The hemorrhoids are removed, and usually, you will be sutured back up. There are times when a doctor will not insert sutures if there's a chance it can increase the risk.
At times, it is possible to have hemorrhoids shrunk before beginning the removal. A chemical can be injected into the patient to decrease its size to make the procedure easier.
This procedure does not require a patient to be admitted, therefore, you'd be able to go home after you're stable unless there were complications during the procedure. A hemorrhoidectomy is a last resort if all other treatment options fail, but it can also be a good way for a possible permanent fix to the issue.
Hemorrhoidectomy Recovery
The recovery period after a hemorrhoidectomy is about 2 to 3 weeks, on average. You will most likely experience pain and bleeding after the procedure. Doctors will recommend taking a warm bath to clean the area and take the medications as prescribed. It is also a good idea to ice the area to prevent swelling and to take stool softeners to prevent strain.
After you've recovered, your doctor will expect you to make lifestyle changes like exercising more often and eating a healthier diet to prevent the possible return of hemorrhoids.
Share5 August 2021
I am a mother of four wonderful children, and like other parents, I have been to my fair share of health care clinics. It seems like my children are always getting scrapes and coming down with colds. When I was a new parent, I never knew whether I should take my injured or ill child to the emergency room or local urgent care facility. I received some simple advice from a seasoned parent that made my decisions easier that I want to pass onto all new parents, along with other health tips I've learned. he told me that she tended to take her children to the ER when they were bleeding or had very high temperatures and took them to the local urgent care for any other problem. I have followed her advice ever since, and my children remain healthy and happy!
