Hemorrhoid Surgery

When conservative treatment fails to improve hemorrhoid symptoms, surgery may be required. Hemorrhoid surgery may be recommended when a patient has extremely painful hemorrhoids, hemorrhoids that bleed repeatedly, or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Shrinking and destroying of hemorrhoidal tissue can be accomplished by using chemicals, infrared light, rubber bands, and other methods.

 

An Overview of Hemorrhoid Surgery

For most people, hemorrhoids can be treated with conservative therapy that focuses on relieving hemorrhoid symptoms and decreasing the pressure on the hemorrhoids by increasing fiber and fluids, along with modifying bowel habits (see Hemorrhoid Treatment). 
 
However, in some cases, hemorrhoid treatment may require a surgery or procedure. Some situations where hemorrhoid surgery may be recommended include:
 
  • Hemorrhoids that bleed repeatedly
  • Prolapsed hemorrhoids
  • Thrombosed hemorrhoids
  • Extremely painful hemorrhoids.
 
There are four types of hemorrhoid surgery generally recommended to treat hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid surgery options include:
 
  • Rubber band ligation
  • Sclerotherapy
  • Infrared coagulation
  • Hemorrhoidectomy.
 
These procedures are used to shrink and destroy the hemorrhoidal tissue. The doctor will perform the procedure during an office or hospital visit.
 

Hemorrhoid Surgery Options Explained

 
Rubber Band Ligation
One of the most common surgical methods is rubber band ligation. A tiny rubber band -- its diameter is 1 millimeter (about one-twenty-fifth of an inch) -- is fitted onto a special gun-like device. When the trigger is pulled, the rubber band is forced onto the base of the hemorrhoid. Because there are no nerve endings in the rectum, no anesthesia is necessary.
 
It takes about a week for the strangled tissue to slough off and a scar to form. Rubber band ligation works best on first- and second-degree hemorrhoids.
 
Sclerotherapy
In sclerotherapy, a chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid. This causes inflammation and eventual scarring that eliminates hemorrhoidal symptoms.
(Hemorrhoid Surgery Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD