Modern Technology Brings Advances in Hemorrhoid Treatment

In the past, treating hemorrhoids that did not respond to a change in diet and lifestyle often required a hemorrhoidectomy procedure to remove the offending tissue. This procedure is very effective but requires extensive recovery time.

Thanks to new tools and recently developed procedures, today many people can avoid invasive hemorrhoid treatment. There are a number of in-office treatments that mean never even going to a surgical center or hospital. And even when surgery is necessary, there are alternatives such as PPH and THD that are much less invasive and appropriate for many patients.

New Devices and Procedures Replace Invasive Surgery

A traditional hemorrhoidectomy was once the gold standard for people with Grade III or IV hemorrhoids that did not respond to noninvasive treatments. The surgery requires several days or longer on strong pain medicine, and weeks of recovery before you can return to your regular activities.

 

With Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids, known as PPH, a high tech device and surgeons with a high level of training can often treat hemorrhoids that previously required a hemorrhoidectomy. Because of the use of a circular stapling device, you may hear this procedure called a stapled hemorrhoidectomy or a hemorrhoidopexy.

PPH allows for a short, outpatient procedure. The procedure itself lasts only about half an hour in many cases, and patients usually return to work within a week following the procedure. We like to perform them on Wednesday, so the patient can return to work on Monday. There is a marked reduction in postoperative pain for most when compared to a traditional procedure.

Doppler Technology Helps Treat Hemorrhoids With Little Pain

Another alternative to a traditional hemorrhoidectomy made possible by technology is transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD). This procedure utilizes doppler technology to treat inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue. Like PPH, THD is a minimally invasive treatment performed in an operating suite at a surgical center.

This procedure does not require the surgeon to remove any tissue, which significantly reduces the risk of bleeding or postoperative pain. The surgeon uses a doppler device to identify the hemorrhoidal arteries feeding the inflamed tissue. They can then put a stitch around the artery to prevent blood from continuing to flow into the tissue.  This procedure takes a little over a half hour, in most cases. Recovery time is similar to PPH, and is much faster and with less pain than a traditional hemorrhoidectomy recovery.

In-Office Procedures Make Getting Treatment Faster and Easier

Perhaps the biggest change in hemorrhoid treatment over the last few years is the introduction and popularization of a number of relatively painless office treatments. While some of these procedures have been around for decades, they are more effective and have fewer complications than in their former forms.

Sclerotherapy Injections

Sclerotherapy uses injections into the mucous membranes near the inflamed hemorrhoid tissue. This causes the blood vessels feeding the tissue to shrink. This treatment is performed in the doctor’s office and effective on small, low-grade hemorrhoids.

Rubber Banding

Rubber banding is one of the most common in-office procedures, especially for hemorrhoids that prolapse. This procedure takes only a few minutes. Your doctor will place a tiny rubber band at the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood flow. Without blood flow, the hemorrhoidal tissue will fall off in about a week.

Photocoagulation

Photocoagulation works well to stop bleeding hemorrhoids and help stop symptoms. The photocoagulation device shoots a ray of highly focused infrared light that damages the hemorrhoid and stops the blood flow.  It is less frequently used as other options may work just as well.

New Technology Will Only Improve Hemorrhoid Treatments

The current tech makes hemorrhoid treatment easier than ever before, but researchers and doctors – including those at Los Angeles Colon and Rectal Surgical Associates – continue to make advances.

Even though minimally invasive treatment methods are available to those suffering from hemorrhoids in Los Angeles, we still encourage taking steps to prevent the itching and burning in the first place. Eating a well-rounded diet with plenty of fiber and staying hydrated can help stop hemorrhoid inflammation before it starts.