Simple treatment measures done in the surgeon’s office can be used to manage most cases of symptomatic hemorrhoids. There are several procedures that can be performed depending on the type of hemorrhoids and their location. These treatments include:
Often medically managing hemorrhoids will give you relief and there are several non-surgical treatments also available (mentioned above). However, sometime it’s necessary to perform surgery. The type of surgery performed is called a hemorrhoidectomy, which means excising (cutting) the hemorrhoid and removing it. This can be done using a local anesthetic, which means the area to be operated on is numbed so you won’t feel any pain, but you are awake during the procedure or it can be done using general anesthesia and you are asleep during the entire procedure. Frequently this is done on an outpatient basis, and you can go home the same day you have the surgery. Usually surgery provides relief for the pain and swelling, but since stitches may be required, that area will be painful and sensitive until healing occurs. Pain medication, Sitz baths, and taking stool softeners will help you manage the pain as you recover. However, don’t take any pain medication without your surgeon’s approval. Recovery time may be from two to six weeks.
Sometimes hemorrhoids will prolapse. Prolapse means “to fall out.” These are internal hemorrhoids that have become so stretched that they protrude outside the anus. When this occurs, a procedure called PPH (Procedure for Prolapsing Hemorrhoids) is usually performed. Excess tissue is removed and the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue is stapled, which restores the hemorrhoids back to their original position and cuts off their blood supply. Without a supply of blood, the hemorrhoids shrivel up and die.