Rubber Band Ligation - This is another procedure that has been around for hundreds of years using string or thread but was modernized and perfected in the 1950s and 1960s. This procedure is in wide spread use and is very popular due to its success rate, fast recovery, few side effects and limited pain.
This procedure involves wrapping a rubber band around the hemorrhoids, in 7-10 days the hemorrhoid dries up and falls off. Several rubber bands can be applied at once, but testing has shown that too much banding done at once increases the pain level. This is the go to procedure for level II hemorrhoids.
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy (also called PPH or procedure for prolapsed and hemorrhoids) – This is similar the rubber band ligation in that staples are used to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid allowing it to dry up and slough off.
This procedure is done above the dentate line of the anal canal where there are no pain receptors so pain is minimal. This procedure is usually done on grade II hemorrhoids after rubber band ligation has been tried several times, or on grade III and IV hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidectomy – This hemroid surgery as it is used today was perfected in the early 1930s. Although other scary hemorrhoid operations were being performed for several hundred years before this, this is the first thoroughly modern surgery that worked and had a minimum of side effects.
This surgery involves isolating and removing the hemorrhoidal veins with a scalpel. Because surgical cutting is involved there is a greater risk of infection plus it can be painful with a slower recovery than with some of the newer hemroid surgical options.
Another problem with the hemorrhoidectomy is the possibility of short term or long term incontinence. The hemorrhoidectomy is still in use today but other procedures are usually tried first. It may be the only option for people with grade IV or V hemorrhoids.
photo credit: Adrian Miles ©