There’s nothing more unnerving and distressing than having to endure all the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids every single day. Worst, there’s no greater embarrassment than to have a hemorrhoid sticking out of your anus. It is definitely a physical and psychological torture!

Out of desperation, maybe you have considered to have a surgical procedure for their removal. Though it is a good option, the removal of hemorrhoids is usually the last resort to resolve the hemorrhoids.

Most hemorrhoids, usually the milder types, heal on their own. Moreover, some procedures that remove hemorrhoids, such as hemorrhoidectomy, are associated with significant pain. And for these reasons, conservative management is initially done to make the hemorrhoids go away. But if all else fails, hemorrhoid removal through surgical means could be the only feasible option for you. Before deciding on whether to have a hemorrhoid removal or not, it is important to know more about these so that you are able to make the possible preparations and readjustments in your lifestyle.

There are various ways on how to remove the hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoid removal through the process of hemorrhoidectomy is usually indicated for individuals with internal hemorrhoids that bulge out from the anus during bowel movements and/or with hemorrhoids that seem to protrude out of the rectum at all times. Hemorrhoidectomy is also recommended to patients who have failed every nonoperative or conservative therapy that was prescribed and in those who display significant manifestations from external hemorrhoids, such as the formation of clots, or skin tags.

Chronic bleeding and anemia and painful external thrombosed hemorrhoids are also recommended for removal. The hemorrhoid is excised using a scalpel, a cautery or a laser. The latter uses an infrared beam to cauterize the tissues. Using a traditional scalpel, the removal of hemorrhoids is achieved by surgically excising the hemorrhoid tissue. The tissues are clamped, tied off and removed. A newer method called the stapled hemorrhoidectomy attempts to remove the hemorrhoid by excising a band of prolapsed anal tissue through the using of a stapling device. The band is pulled into the device, removing the excess tissue, as the remaining tissue is stapled back to its correct location.

Sclerotherapy is a technique that involves the injection of chemical irritants into the blood vessels surrounding the hemorrhoids to induce inflammation, formation of excess tissues and scarring. The entire technique results in the shrinkage and falling off the hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoidolysis or Galvanic Electrotherapy causes the shrinkage of a hemorrhoid tissue by the application of a small probe of electrodes. The resulting electrolysis results in complete and shriveling and drying up of the hemorrhoids.

Rubber band ligation is the most commonly used technique used in the United States as it involves lesser pain and risks with a 60 to 80% success rate. This procedure removes the hemorrhoid by tying up a small elastic band around the internal hemorrhoid, cutting off its blood supply. The hemorrhoid dries up, shrinks and falls off a few days after the procedure, in about a week. Bleeding ensues after the hemorrhoid falls off but it spontaneously resolves by itself. Only one or two hemorrhoids are removed at a time but the banding can be redone after 4 to 6 weeks.