Pronounced: HEM-roy-DEK-tuh-mee
A hemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen (dilated) veins located in or around the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids can cause discomfort, pain, or bleeding.
Hemorrhoidectomy is used to treat painful, swollen hemorrhoids. The procedure is most often done for the following reasons:
Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have a hemorrhoidectomy, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:
Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:
Your doctor may do the following:
Leading up to the procedure:
Your surgery will be done using either:
An anoscope will be inserted into your anus. The doctor will be able to see the hemorrhoids through the scope.
An incision will be made around each hemorrhoid. The swollen vein inside the hemorrhoid will be tied off so that it does not bleed. The hemorrhoid will then be removed. The wounds will either be stitched closed or left open to heal.
There are other variations of this procedure. Ask your doctor to describe which procedure will be used.
You will be monitored in a recovery area for a few hours.
About 1-2 hours
You should not feel pain during the procedure. After the procedure, you might have pain in the area. Your doctor will give you pain medicine if you need it.
Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions, which may include:
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
RESOURCES:
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org/
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)
http://www.fascrs.org/
Familydoctor.org
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html/
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG)
http://www.cag-acg.org/
The College of Family Physicians of Canada
http://www.cfpc.ca/
References:
Khatri VP, Asensio JA. Operative Surgery Manual. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2003.
Townsend CM. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 17th ed. St. Louis, MO: WB Saunders; 2004.
Yamada T. Textbook of Gastroenterology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2003.
Last reviewed November 2009 by Rosalyn Carson-DeWitt, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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