What is haemorrhoid surgery?

Haemorrhoids or piles are swollen veins inside or outside the rectum, which may be painful, itch and bleed. These vessels may also form blood clots, which we call thrombosed haemorrhoids, and must be surgically removed. A haemorrhoidectomy is a procedure that eliminates haemorrhoids from the body and is the most common haemorrhoid surgery. You will be given a general or spinal anaesthetic to prevent you from feeling discomfort. Around the haemorrhoid, incisions are made in the tissue. The enlarged vein inside the haemorrhoid is tied off, and the haemorrhoid is removed to prevent bleeding.

When is it done?

Surgery for haemorrhoids (piles) is done when the blood vessels of the piles have developed blood clots, known as thrombosed haemorrhoids.

How is it done?

Surgery is an option when other treatment methods have not worked. Surgery is done to treat haemorrhoids by draining the vessels. There are a number of different types of surgeries that can be done to treat piles, such as:

A haemorrhoidectomy is a surgical procedure done for large internal and external haemorrhoids. Under anaesthesia, the haemorrhoids will be removed.

Haemorrhoidopexy, also known as stapling, requires only local anaesthesia and is done using a surgical staple to fix and place the prolapsed haemorrhoid back into the rectum so that the blood supply is cut off and it is treated.

After surgery, you will be given instructions on how to care for your wound and what activities you may and may not do. You will be given pain medication and antibiotics to prevent infection. Rectal and anal pain is normal after these procedures. Recovery is generally quicker when the surgery is done laparoscopically or endoscopically. It is essential to contact Dr Muthambi if you experience any of the following symptoms as emergency care may be needed:

• High temperature or chills
• Dizziness
• Pain during urination
• Vomiting
• Swelling around the incisions
• Bleeding from the wound
• Extreme pain

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