Hemorrhoid operation types represent significant variance. There are usually five basic treatments that might be selected to address external or internal protrusions in the anus. Typically a surgeon or other doctor recommends the best methods based on patient pain, severity of hemorrhoids, and on any other factors that may be relevant.
When the term hemorrhoid operation is used it’s automatically assumed that some form of cutting will be involved. Actually only a few surgeries cut into the skin to remove hemorrhoids, and oftentimes a hemorrhoid operation is done in a doctor’s office. It may involve some local anesthetic, but general anesthesia is not used all the time.
One procedure thought of as a hemorrhoid operation, which is judged very effective and has a long history, is banding. This is also called rubber band ligation. A tight band is placed around the hemorrhoid and this cuts off blood supply to it. When blood supply is cut, the tissue in the hemorrhoid shrinks and dies and the offending protrusion eventually falls off like a scab.
Two other hemorrhoid operation types are also what are known as minimally invasive procedures. One is called coagulation. In this method the hemorrhoid is treated with laser, heat or infrared light, which creates death of the growth. This method is sometimes preferred for internal hemorrhoids that are causing bleeding. Alternately doctors can inject chemicals into a hemorrhoid, and this causes tissue death too. In many instances, banding is preferred over either of these two methods because it tends not to correspond to hemorrhoids recurring.
Sometimes it’s necessary to take a more aggressive approach when performing a hemorrhoid operation. A procedure called stapling can be used, and it is somewhat like banding because blood flow is cut off to the hemorrhoid area. This procedure might be done if multiple hemorrhoids are being removed, but it isn’t without risk. In some cases people might end up with complications and this hemorrhoid operation doesn’t guarantee that hemorrhoids won’t return.
Alternately, in a hemorrhoidectomy, hemorrhoid tissue is removed and often doesn’t grow back. Of the hemorrhoid operation types available, hemorrhoidecotomy tends to be the most extensive, and could be done under general anesthesia; sometimes conscious sedation or twilight sleep is used instead. The main disadvantage of this surgery is that recovery can be painful. Also some people have unusual complications from the procedure, like issues with bladder control. Nevertheless, when this surgery works, it is usually very successful and may be an excellent means of eliminating hemorrhoid problems.
Given the number of different treatment options, it’s a good idea to have a consultation with a doctor to determine which one is best. Patients should understand risks versus benefits of each procedure so they can make an informed decision. Ironically, some of the procedures like banding, which could almost be considered low-tech, have excellent rates of recovery and lower risk or hemorrhoid recurrence than do more extensive operations or procedures.
