People often joke about hemorrhoids but for those who suffer from them find it no laughing matter.  

The medical staff at Outpatient Services East  know and care what you are facing if you are in need of hemorrhoidectomy. You need to understand exactly what this surgery will involve.

A hemorrhoidectomy is the procedure done to remove hemorrhoidal tissue. Hemorrhoidal tissues contain blood vessels that act as cushions by swelling slightly in order to protect the anal canal during bowel movements.

Straining sometimes cause the tissues to stay swollen. This can happen during bowel movements, pregnancy, or moving heavy objects. Infact anything you do that causes too much pressure in the anal canal can cause you to develop hemorrhoids. If this happens you should discuss it with your doctor. The longer you let it go without treatment the larger the possibility you will need surgery later on.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include itching, pain, and bleeding. If you experience any of these symptoms you sure tell your doctor. While some people find it hard to talk about remember he/she is your doctor.

You may have internal hemorrhoids that occur inside the anal canal. Or you may develop external hemorrhoids occur around the anal opening. Your doctor may be able to treat the hemorrhoids with medication. But a hemorrhoidectomy is needed to treat larger hemorrhoids that are causing pain or bleeding. As with all surgeries there are risks and the chance of complications with a hemorrhoidectomy. So it is important to see your doctor early so the option for a less invasive treatment can be tried.

If you and your doctor have decided the surgery is necessary he/she will discuss the different types of hemorrhoidectomy you will be needing. There is the excisional hemorrhoidectomy is used to remove the hemorrhoidal tissue by cutting it. The surgeon may choose to leave the tissue wound open (open excisional hemorrhoidectomy) or  he/she may close it with stitches (closed excisional hemorrhoidectomy) It is most common for the closed technique to be used. The surgeon may decide the stapled procedure is the best route to take. This procedure removes only a portion of the hemorrhoidal tissue. The remaining hemorrhoidal tissues will be lifted back up into the anal canal and stapled into place with a special stapling device. Often this procedure tends to cause less postoperative pain and has a shorter recovery period. But keep in mind the staple procedure may not be effective for large external hemorrhoids and there is a bigger tendency for the hemorrhoids to recur.

In addition to the hemorrhoidectomy you doctor may feel you need another procedure performed. This includes a lateral internal sphincterotomy. This procedure is done to open or widen the internal sphincter muscle. (a ring of muscles that contracts to close an opening) The doctor may feel this procedure is needed if you have high resting internal sphincter pressure making it difficult to push stool out. Hopefully this procedure will reduce pain after surgery during your bowel movements.

Hopefully this gives you a little understanding of what you may be facing. If you schedule your hemorrhoidectomy at Outpatient Services East call for more information.

Phone:  205-838-3888