Christopher Jacoby Suffering from hemorrhoids is highly unpleasant which is why it’s fortunate that there are surgical options available for when they do not respond to other treatments. If you find that your hemorrhoids are very painful, that they bleed regularly or that they are prolapsed then you may wish to choose from one of the surgical options available. However you should always attempt to address the problem first using banding and other less invasive procedures.
Failing this there are five main surgical options which can treat your hemorrhoids and each of these has strengths and weaknesses which will make them more or less suitable for specific cases and specific individuals. These five options are:
- Hemorrhoidectomy
- Rubber Band Ligation
- Halo
- Infra-Red Coagulation
- Sclerotherapy
Rubber Band Ligation
Of these the most common treatment is rubber band ligation. This treatment involves using a small rubber band with a diameter of 1 millimetre which is attached to a gun-like implement with a trigger. When this trigger is pulled it then forces that elastic band onto the hemorrhoid’s base. This then ‘strangles’ the hemorrhoid and eventually the hemorrhoid will slough off. As there are no nerve endings in the rectum there is no need for anaesthetic and the procedure is not terribly uncomfortable. However the procedure can leave scarring and only works to its best on second and first degree hemorrhoids.
Sclerotherapy
Using sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution around the blood vessel which should shrink the hemorrhoid. This however results in some inflammation and again in eventual scarring. It is however not always successful.
HALO
HALO stands for Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation and this technique involves using ultrasound to locate any arteries supplying blood directly to the hemorrhoid These arteries are then cut off using a stitch and the hemorrhoids will being to shrink. This is relatively painless and leaves no scarring making it treatment that is gaining in popularity.
Infra-Red Coagulation
Infra-red coagulation involves the use of a device that can burn the base of the hemorrhoid using a infra-red light.
Hemorrhoidectomy
This method is only really used in extreme cases which fail to respond to other treatment. This involves surgically removing the hemorrhoid and is a more invasive procedure that requires a stay in the hospital and potentially several weeks until full recovery is achieved. However unlike other methods this will be effective on all hemorrhoids including prolapsed hemorrhoids Where stapling is used (stapled hemorrhoidectomy) there is no need for incisions making this the preferred method.