Hospital Virtual Tour

Hemorrhoid surgery - Overview

Alternative Names

Hemorrhoidectomy

Definition of Hemorrhoid surgery:

Hemorrhoid surgery is the removal of swollen veins around the anus.

Description:

Hemorrhoid surgery is often done in an outpatient clinic or your doctor's office, with little or no anesthesia.

Hemorrhoids can be surgically removed using a special stapler or sutures (stiches). After the hemorrhoid is removed, you may have stitches that dissolve on their own and gauze packing to reduce bleeding.

Other treatments may include:

A shot into the hemorrhoid to reduce swelling (sclerotherapy)
A rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply
Shrinking the hemorrhoid with heat, or freeze it with liquid nitrogen
Minor surgery to treat the hemorrhoid (hemorrhoidectomy)

Smaller hemorrhoids may not need surgery.

Why the Procedure Is Performed:

Most small hemorrhoids can be managed with lifestyle changes and diet.

Your doctor may recommend hemorrhoid surgery if lifestyle and diet changes and medicines have not worked.

Hemorrhoid surgery - series

Reviewed last on: 1/24/2011
Shabir Bhimji, MD, PhD, Specializing in General Surgery, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery, Midland, TX. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Sneider EB, Maykel JA. Diagnosis and management of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Surg Clin North Am. 2010 Feb;90(1):17-32, Table of Contents.

Nelson H, Cima RR. Anus. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 51.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

Connect with UMMC

© 2011 University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). All rights reserved.
UMMC is a member of the University of Maryland Medical System,
22 S. Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. TDD: 1-800-735-2258 or 1.866.408.6885

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)