Surgical Treatment for Hemorrhoids
HEMORRHOIDS AND SURGERY
Should You Have Surgery for Hemorrhoids?
The most common signs of internal hemorrhoids is painless bleeding. You will see bright red blood on the outside of your stool and on the toilet paper. The bleeding does not usually last very long. When hemorrhoids home treatments do not work, then you should seek professional medical help. Surgery is often required. In your quest to say goodbye to hemorrhoids, here are some of the more common surgical procedures.
Rubber Band Ligation.
This surgery is probably the most widely used of the many treatments for internal hemorrhoids. It is also the least costly and you attend as an outpatient. An applicator is used to place one or two small rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply. A few days later the hemorrhoid falls off, leaving a sore that heals in a week or two. No anesthesia is needed as internal hemorrhoids are located in a part of your anus that does not feel pain. The procedure is therefore painless in most cases. Surgery may need to be repeated a few weeks later as the hemorrhoids may reappear.
Laser Coagulation
This type of surgery uses an electric current to treat the hemorrhoid. The blood flow to the hemorrhoid is cut off by the electrical current and this causes a chemical reaction which in turn causes the hemorrhoid to shrink.
Infrared Photo coagulation
This surgery uses infrared light to coagulate the vein and prevents blood from reaching the hemorrhoid. This is similar to laser coagulation.
Injection Sclerotherapy
For this surgery the doctor injects chemicals into the mucous membrane that surrounds the hemorrhoid. The vein will close as a result and the hemorrhoid will shrink.
Laser Treatment
This kind of surgery works well for all types of hemorrhoids. A small laser beam is used to vaporize the hemorrhoids. This is a very effective method because there is little bleeding, little pain and healing takes place much quicker than the other methods.
Hemorrhoidectomy
In this procedure the hemorrhoid is removed by surgery. This is used mainly with very large internal hemorrhoids but it is also used for the removal of some external hemorrhoids. Depending on the circumstances, this procedure may require anesthesia. Several weeks are needed for complete healing. You would most likely resume normal activities, however, at the end of a week. Severe pain usually accompanies this type of surgery. Hemorrhoids seldom return after surgery.
After surgery for hemorrhoids, you will find it useful to use a special cushion that promotes comfort and healing.
