Most people with hemorrhoids are not in danger of complications. Treatment focuses on relieving hemorrhoid symptoms and decreasing pressure on them so that they can resolve themselves. There are, however, a few cases when hemorrhoid surgery may be required. Hemorrhoids that bleed chronically, prolapsed hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids, and ones that are very painful are cases where surgery may be the best solution.

Currently, four basic types of hemorrhoid surgery exist: rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation, and hemorrhoidectomy. One of the most important surgical techniques for treating hemorrhoids was developed in the 1930s and is called the Milligan-Morgan Technique. Developed in the UK, it is considered the gold standard for hemorrhoid surgery. In this technique, three small pear-shaped incisions are made and the three major hemorrhoidal blood vessels are removed. The incisions are left open, which may sound unusual. However, later variations on these techniques that involved sutures resulted in more surgical complications.

Rubber band ligation is exactly what it sounds like. Elastic bands are placed around an internal hemorrhoid in a specific location to cut off its blood supply. This causes the withered thing to fall off within about a week. The band must be placed carefully, or intense pain can result. The cure rate for internal hemorrhoids treated with rubber band ligation is about 87%.

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosing agent. A sclerosing agent, in simplest terms, is an irritant that causes vein walls to collapse. It is the type of chemical also used to treat varicose veins in the legs. Once the vein walls have collapsed, the hemorrhoid shrivels up.

Infrared coagulation is a type of cautery that causes hemorrhoids to shrivel up. While infrared radiation is commonly used, other types of cautery may be used, including electrocautery or cryosurgery.

Hemorrhoidectomy is a surgical removal of hemorrhoids that is only used in severe cases or where other methods have failed. The procedure can result in significant pain following surgery, and it may require two to four weeks for recovery.

A less invasive alternative to hemorrhoidectomy is Doppler ultrasound guided hemorrhoidal de-arterialization. This technique uses ultrasound to locate arterial inflow to a hemorrhoid. Once identified, the arteries are tied off and the prolapsed hemorrhoidal tissue is sutured back into its normal position. Though the recurrence rate is higher compared to traditional hemorrhoidectomy, there are usually fewer complications.

Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is a procedure involving the resection of soft tissue on the hemorrhoid. This disrupts blood flow to it and usually results in faster healing than traditional hemorrhoidectomy.

Surgical techniques used to treat hemorrhoids may result in some degree of complications, one of which is urinary retention. Urinary retention occurs because of the close proximity between the rectum and the nerves that supply the bladder. Bleeding and infection are possible complications, as are anal strictures. An anal stricture is a band of scar tissue that constricts the anal opening, making it difficult and / or painful to pass waste through the anal opening.

Like with nonsurgical treatment of hemorrhoids, the least invasive surgical techniques are used to treat them unless there is good reason for using a more invasive procedure.

Author Bio: Jason Bacot – Are you thinking that you might possibly need Hemorrhoid Surgery some time? Are you looking for more information on the Hemorrhoid Symptoms you have? Then I suggest you check us out online at \”TheHemorrhoidGuide.com\” immediately.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: Hemorrhoid Surgery, Hemorrhoid Symptoms, Bleeding hemorrhoids, hemorrhoid treatment