Hemorrhoidectomy - Hemorrhoid Surgery

Hemorrhoid surgery is done to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum. They are classified as internal, meaning inside the anus, or external, meaning outside the anus.

Who is a candidate for the procedure?

Many times, hemorrhoids resolve on their own. Conservative medical treatment can clear up other hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid surgery may be performed when hemorrhoids cause severe pain or bleeding. It may also be recommended if the hemorrhoids prolapse, or stick too far out of the anus.

How is the procedure performed?

Hemorrhoid surgery may be done in a doctor's office or in a hospital. It is done using anesthesia, a medicine that makes a person unaware of pain. Local anesthesia may be applied to one small part of the body so no pain is felt in the area of surgery. Or a person can be put completely to sleep with medicines, called general anesthesia. In this type of pain control, a person feels no pain anywhere in the body.

There are five methods used to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids. They are:

What happens right after the procedure?

If a surgical hemorroidectomy is performed, the person will go to a surgery recovery room for a short time after surgery.

The person is discharged when he or she is comfortable and able to keep fluids down.

What happens later at home?

At home, a person is expected to:

What are the potential complications after the procedure?

Surgery can cause bleeding, infection, or allergic reaction to anesthesia. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.

Author:Gail Hendrickson, RN, BS
Date Written:
Editor:Crist, Gayle P., MS, BA
Edit Date:10/05/01
Reviewer:Adam Brochert, MD
Date Reviewed:09/24/01

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