When are hemorrhoids operated

Hemorrhoids can be caused by different factors, among which are constipation , the fact of exerting a lot during bowel movements, maintaining an improper fixed posture for a long time, being overweight, pregnancy, childbirth or diseases such as liver cirrhosis .

Los síntomas de hemorroides pueden variar en función de cuál el grado de inflamación de estas, pero los más frecuentes son los siguientes:

• Presencia de unas protuberancias duras en la zona anal.
• Dolor, escozor y comezón anal.
• Prolapso: es un bulto que surge cuando las hemorroides salen hacia el exterior, siendo muy difícil volver a introducirlas.
• Sangrado anal durante la defecación al hacer esfuerzo.
• Secreción mucosa en caso de hemorroides internas.

La gravedad de las hemorroides se clasifican en 4 grados y estos son los que determinarán el tratamiento a seguir en cada caso, indicando si es o no necesario un tratamiento quirúrgico:

• Grado 1: hemorroides que causan molestias pero que no salen al exterior durante la defecación.
• Grade 2: they are those that do come out during defecation but that spontaneously return to the inside of the anal canal.
• Grade 3: hemorrhoids that come out during defecation, but do not return to the inside of the anal canal later. It is the patient who must reintroduce them manually with the help of toilet paper.
• Grade 4: are those hemorrhoids that come out and that can be re-inserted or manually, so the symptoms are much more accentuated and annoying.

Taking into account the different degrees of severity, we can answer the question of when hemorrhoids are operated by pointing out that any patient with grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids may be a candidate for hemorrhoid surgery, called a hemorrhoidectomy. It is a procedure that removes hemorrhoids that have not remitted after conservative treatment based on drugs and healthy lifestyle habits. Surgical treatment is especially recommended for patients suffering from hemorrhoids that cause great discomfort, bleeding and make it difficult to carry out their daily tasks.

Hemorrhoidectomy or removal of hemorrhoids is a surgical technique that can be performed on an outpatient basis or require a short stay in the hospital center (one night only). This will be decided by the medical specialist depending on the technique used, the severity of the hemorrhoids and the patient’s health status.

The different surgical techniques that can be used for hemorrhoid surgery are as follows:

• Conventional surgery performing the excision using a monopolar electric scalpel.
• Laser hemorrhoid surgery: It is usually used in case of external hemorrhoids. The laser produces less damage to the affected tissues and, therefore, ensures a shorter postoperative period with less discomfort.
• Hemorrhoid surgery with ligasure : the blood vessels are sealed with a hemostatic device.
• Longo technique: it is used in case of internal hemorrhoids and bleeding. Through a mechanical suture device, hemorrhoids are removed by resecting a band of rectal mucosa. The postoperative period is less painful and faster, since the wound is internally.
• Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD): surgical stitches suture the hemorrhoidal artery that carries blood to the hemorrhoids.

Who can undergo hemorrhoid surgery

Any adult from 20 to 60 years old can undergo hemorrhoid surgery if necessary and is recommended by the medical specialist.

In the case of older people over 70 years of age, there does not have to be any problem, but it is important that the doctor analyze each case well to assess if there are any medical conditions that could make the surgical intervention risky or lead to certain complications later.

All patients with diabetes, respiratory or heart problems, or who are taking Sintrom or other anticoagulant medicines, should inform their doctor beforehand of all this.

After being discharged from the medical center, the patient should start a recovery time at home, taking into account some recommendations such as those shown below to return to daily activities as soon as possible.

In general, the postoperative period of hemorrhoids usually lasts between 10 and 15 days. Despite this, it is possible to go back to doing daily tasks 2 or 3 days after the operation. However, the duration of the recovery time may vary from one patient to another depending on the surgical technique used and the severity of the hemorrhoids they presented.

After operating on the hemorrhoids, it is normal for the affected person to feel discomfort in the area for the next few days, which will subside as time passes and the wound heals. Next, we show the recommendations that should be taken into account to relieve pain after surgery and avoid the appearance of possible complications:

• Take pain relievers prescribed by your doctor to reduce pain.
• Eat a diet rich in fiber to avoid constipation. In the following article we show which are the foods richest in fiber .
• Drink plenty of water and healthy fluids that help soften the stool and thus facilitate its expulsion.
• Take laxatives if the doctor has indicated it and if the constipation is not solved with a diet rich in fiber.
• Wait 1 day to shower after the operation.
• Avoid sitting for a long time in the bathroom to defecate, as this could cause the wound to bleed.
• Avoid lifting a lot of weight or making great efforts during defecation and urination.
• To soothe discomfort, warm sitz baths can be a very good option. They can be done 2 or 3 times a day and can be supplemented with the use of some medicinal herbs, such as mallow, sage or chamomile.
• If during the first days, there is postoperative bleeding, a gauze can be placed in the anal area to avoid stains on clothing.
• Use special cushions or pillows to remain seated or lying down. This prevents excessive pressure in the anal area.

Once we have clarified when to operate on hemorrhoids and what are the care that should be carried out after the operation, it is also important to point out that you should see a doctor urgently if:

• You experience a lot of pain or swelling.
• Postoperative bleeding is excessive.
• Fever occurs.
• You cannot urinate normally after the intervention.
• The wound is very red or hot to the touch.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

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