Haemorrhoidectomy
This webpage will give you information about a
haemorrhoidectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your
GP or other relevant health professional.
What are haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids (piles) are soft fleshy lumps just inside the back
passage (anus). They bleed easily when you have a bowel movement.
They do not usually cause pain but can cause itching. When large,
they can pass through the anus (prolapsed pile), feeling like a
lump when you clean yourself (see figure 1).
Figure 1: Back passage showing a prolapsed haemorrhoid
Haemorrhoids develop gradually, often over a long period of
time. They are associated with constipation, often run in families
and can be made worse by pregnancy.
What are the benefits of surgery?
Surgery will remove the haemorrhoids. You should no longer have
any symptoms.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
Haemorrhoids can often be successfully treated by simple
measures such as eating more fibre and drinking more fluid.
If these simple measures are unsuccessful, the haemorrhoids can
usually be treated successfully in a clinic. Local treatments
include ‘banding’ or ‘injecting’ the haemorrhoids.
What does the operation involve?
A haemorrhoidectomy is usually performed under a general
anaesthetic and takes about twenty minutes. Your surgeon will
remove your haemorrhoids by either cutting them away or using a
staple gun.
What complications can happen?
1 General complications
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Infection in the surgical site (wound)
- Blood clots
2 Specific complications
- Incomplete haemorrhoidectomy
- Difficulty passing urine
- Anal stenosis
- Developing skin tags
- Developing an anal fissure
- Incontinence
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day, especially if your
haemorrhoids were treated using a staple gun.
You should drink plenty of fluid and increase the amount of
fibre in your diet.
The wounds often take several weeks to heal completely. There
are no open wounds with the stapled technique.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
Occasionally haemorrhoids come back.
Summary
Haemorrhoids are a common problem. If non-surgical treatments
fail, surgery is usually recommended.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr Jonathan Lund DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.) and Miss Gillian
Tierney DM FRCS (Gen. Surg.)
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2010 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2011 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is produced
by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health Care
UK. The intellectual property rights to the information belong
exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
of the information other than for your personal, non-commercial
use.
The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.