Haemorrhoidectomy
Haemorrhoid removal treatment or haemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove haemorrhoids (piles) from the anus. Haemorrhoidectomy is usually carried out as a day-case procedure, with no overnight stay in hospital.
The operation is performed under general anaesthesia. This means you will be asleep throughout the procedure. Some people choose epidural anaesthesia instead. This numbs your body from the waist down, but you will still be awake.
Mr Day will explain the benefits and risks of having your haemorrhoids removed, and will discuss the alternatives to the procedure.
About the operation
Mr Day will make a cut at the anal verge to excise the external redundant tissue and the internal haemorrhoidal tissue. A stitch will be placed at the base to occlude any blood vessels. Most of the stitches will be inside the anal canal. These stitches will dissolve over about two to four weeks.
Mr Day may place an absorbent pack into your anal canal to help stem any further bleeding. This usually stays in place until your first bowel movement. The operation usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.
After a haemorrhoidectomy, you will have a raw wound at the anal verge that will be very painful for up to 6-8 weeks following surgery. There will be some mucus discharge and possibly some bleeding. You will be discharged with a number of painkillers and stool softeners to help you through your post-operative recovery.
Haemorrhoidectomy is a commonly performed and generally safe surgical procedure. For most people, the benefits are greater than any disadvantages. However, all surgery carries an element of risk.
Specific complications of a haemorrhoidectomy are unusual but can include: constipation for a few days after the operation, an infection of the operation site or the urinary tract. Delayed bleeding from the operative site can occur, usually 10-14 days after surgery. A rare complication (occurring <1% of the time) is anal stenosis, a narrowing of the anal canal. This may then require a further procedure called a dilatation.