Haemorroidectomy

Haemorrhoids, commonly called piles, are small, round, fleshy bumps that contain enlarged blood vessels, and are found around your anus or in your anal canal.

They are associated with an increased pressure in your blood vessels in and around your anus causing them to become inflamed and swollen. It is thought that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may contribute to haemorrhoids developing around the anus as it can cause constipation and diarrhoea that lead to unusual straining during bowel movements.

In many cases piles causes no symptoms. But if piles symptoms do present they can include: bleeding after passing a stool, an itchy bottom that is sore, red and swollen around your anus, mucus discharge after passing a stool and, a lump that comes out of your anus and may go back inside or need to be pushed back in after passing a stool.

Piles treatments can include self-help remedies such as a high fibre diet, drinking plenty, not straining when passing a stool and, warm baths. Medicines for example Anusol cream and, non-surgical treatments including banding, injecting, using laser or electricity to shrink or destroy the pile may also be recommended. Your doctor may advise surgery as the best treatment for your haemorrhoids.

A haemorrhoidectomy typically takes about twenty minutes and is performed under a general anaesthetic.

There are three main types of haemorrhoidectomy:

• Conventional haemorrhoidectomy – your surgeon will cut away your haemorrhoids.
• Stapling – known as stapled haemorrhoidopexy. The last section of your large intestine is stapled to reduce the blood supply to your haemorrhoids so that they shrink and it reduces the likelihood of prolapse.
• Haemorrhoidal artery ligation – using ultrasound guidance the blood vessels supplying your haemorrhoids are located and then each blood vessel is stitched closed to cut off the blood supply to your haemorrhoids so that they shrink.

Although a haemorrhoidectomy rarely causes serious problems, complications can occasionally occur. They can include: bleeding, infection, urinary retention, faecal incontinence, anal fistula (a small channel develops between your anal canal and the surface of your skin) and, stenosis (narrowing of your anal canal). The complications can be further treated.

If you decide to pay for your treatment, Ramsay offer an all-inclusive Total Care package, where a single one-off payment at a pre-agreed price, delivering direct access to all the treatment you need for complete reassurance. You can also spread the cost of your treatment with finance options available.

Haemorrhoidectomy surgery may be covered by your medical insurance policy. We advise you to check directly with your insurance provider and get written confirmation before commencing treatment.

Your recovery will vary depending upon the type of haemorrhoidectomy surgery you have.

If you have conventional haemorrhoidectomy then you may need to stay in hospital for up to three days. Your wounds may take several weeks to heal completely. You can wear pads during this time if you choose.

If you have had stapling or haemorrhoidal artery ligation, which do not involve cutting, you may be able to go home the same day and your recovery will usually be quicker.

Rivers Hospital Specialists

Mr Ahmed Abidia

Mr Ahmed Abidia is a General Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire .
Read more
Mr Rajaraman Durai

Mr Raj Durai is a General Surgeon with a special interest in Colorectal surgery in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Read more
Mr Eriberto Farinella

Mr Eriberto Farinella is a Consultant General Surgeon in Hertfordshire
Read more
Mr Vivek Gupta

Mr Vivek Gupta specialises in general and colorectal surgery including hernia, cholecystectomy, colonoscopy, haemorrhoidectomy, IBS, and bowel cancer.
Read more
Mr Bogdan Ivanov

Mr Bogdan Ivanov is a Consultant General Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire
Read more
Mr Jonathan Refson

Mr Jonathan Refson is a General Surgeon in Hertfordshire with a special interest in vascular surgery
Read more
Mr Mrinal Saharay

Mr Mrinal Saharay is a General Surgeon in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.
Read more
Ms Vardhini Vijay

Ms Vardhini Vijay is a Consultant General Surgeon in Hertfordshire specialising abdominal surgery, cholecystectomies, adhesiolysis, hernias, gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
Read more
Mr Shanmugam Vivekanandan

Mr Shanmugam Vivekanandan is a General Surgeon in Hertfordshire
Read more

Latest from Rivers Hospital

Hertfordshire MP Julie Marson visits Rivers Hospital

Julie Marson MP, Member of Parliament for Hertford and Stortford and the former Employment Minister, recently visited Rivers Hospital in Hertfordshire to meet local doctors, nurses and staff to see how the hospital is providing high quality healthcare for local people.

Find out more

Rivers Hospital starts again with their Look Good Feel Better Workshops for 2024

Six years ago Rivers Hospital launched their first Look Good Feel Better workshop. Ladies currently undergoing and also recently finished their cancer treatment join together for a morning of make-up tips, laughter and building new friendships.

Find out more

Rivers Hospital starts again with their Look Good Feel Better Workshops for 2022

Four years ago Rivers Hospital launched their first Look Good Feel Better workshop. Ladies currently undergoing and also recently finished their cancer treatment join together for a morning of make-up tips, laughter and building new friendships.

Find out more

Specialties

Treatments

Tests & Scans

Your Care

Clinical Information

Funding Treatment