Hemorrhoid surgery Health Article

Definition

Hemorrhoid surgery is the removal of swollen veins around the anus (hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids can be inside or outside of the skin around the rectum.

Alternative Names

Hemorrhoidectomy

Description

Hemorrhoids can be surgically removed using a special stapler or sutures (stiches). You may be sedated and pain-free (local or spinal anesthesia) or asleep and pain-free (general anesthesia). After the hemorrhoid is removed, you may have stitches that dissolve on their own and gauze packing to reduce bleeding.

Smaller hemorrhoids may not need surgery. These procedures are often done in an outpatient clinic or your doctor’s office, with minimal or no anesthesia.

To treat your hemorrhoids, your doctor may:

• Give you a chemical shot to reduce swelling
• Place a rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply to it
• Shrink the hemorrhoid with infrared light or a laser, or freeze it with liquid nitrogen

Why the Procedure Is Performed

Your doctor may recommend hemorrhoid removal when nonsurgical treatment (such as a high-fiber diet, laxatives, stool softener, suppositories, medications, and warm baths) do not make your symptoms go away.

Typical symptoms are:

• Persistent itching
• Anal bleeding
• Pain
• Blood clots (thrombosis of the hemorrhoids)
• Infection

Risks

Risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Breathing problems, pneumonia
• Heart problems

Before the Procedure

Always tell your doctor or nurse:

• If you could be pregnant
• What drugs you are taking, even drugs or herbs you bought without a prescription

Several days before surgery, you may be asked to stop taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), warfarin (Coumadin), and any other drugs that make it hard for your blood to clot.

On the day of the surgery:

• If you are having general anesthesia, and you will usually be asked not to drink or eat anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
• Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water if you are restricted.
• Your doctor or nurse will tell you when to arrive.