Bowel > Bowel Treatments > Haemorrhoidectomy

Haemorrhoidectomy

If conservative treatments and/or medication have not worked and your haemorrhoids are large and causing you discomfort and pain, you may wish to consider surgery. There are some different surgical options available and you should discuss these with your GP who can refer you to a consultant.

A haemorrhoidectomy is an operation to remove the haemorrhoids and is usually done under a general anaesthetic. This is a major operation and you will need to take at least a week off work afterwards. It is unlikely that your haemorrhoids will come back after having this procedure, however, you should still continue with a high fibre, healthy diet to reduce any risk.

Other surgical procedures you may wish to consider:

Stapling, also known as stapled haemorrhoidopexy, is an alternative to a traditional haemorrhoidectomy. and is a procedure only used for external haemorrhoids. It requires a general anaesthetic and a hospital stay.

Haemorrhoidal artery ligation, also known as transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation (THD), is an operation to reduce the flow of blood to the haemorrhoids. It is usually carried out under general anaesthetic and uses ultrasound to locate the haemorrhoids. A stitch is then placed in the artery supplying blood to the haemorrhoid, which results in it shrinking and dying off.

There are a few other procedures available, including freezing and laser treatment, however there are only a few surgeons who do these.