Haemorrhoid Surgery
In some cases, minor surgery may be needed. Common procedures include:
- Rubber band ligation, where a very tight elastic band is placed around the haemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. This causes the haemorrhoid to fall off and be passed out of the body within seven to ten days. This procedure can be performed under sedation.
- Haemorrhoidectomy, excising the haemorrhoid completely including the internal, external components and anal skin tags. It is reserved for larger haemorrhoids. It requires a general anaesthetic and a short stay in hospital. Pain around the anus is common for a few days after the procedure.
- The HALO procedure, Haemorrhoidal artery ligation also known as HALO (Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation) or THD (Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation). The procedure reduces the blood flow to your haemorrhoids. You will be put under general anaesthetic and Mr Karametos will use an ultrasound to identify arteries (blood vessels) supplying blood to a haemorrhoid. Stitches or sutures are sewn in to cut off this blood supply and shrink the haemorrhoids. The HALO procedure is virtually painless. Read more about this advanced treatment for haemorrhoids in the next paragraph.
The Halo Procedure
The Haemorrhoidal Artery Ligation Operation (HALO) is a surgical technique designed to eradicate haemorrhoids without the need for cutting. As such, it is relatively pain free, and most patients are back to work after 24-48 hours with only a minimum of discomfort. The Halo procedure is now available in Melbourne Australia. It is performed by Mr Steven Karametos, who is one of the highly trained surgeons in Melbourne with a specialist interest in haemorrhoids. The HALO Procedure is highly recommended because:
The operation uses a miniature Doppler ultrasound device to locate all the arteries supplying the haemorrhoids as they come down from the rectum under the lining of the bowel. The device also has a small window which allows a stitch to be placed around the artery thus cutting off the blood supply to the pile. During the course of the procedure all the arteries supplying the piles are located (up to 3) and tied off. Over the subsequent days and weeks the pile shrinks away and the symptoms resolve. All stages, including stage three and stage four haemorrhoids can now be treated with this technique by the addition of an Anopexy, or Recto-Anal Repair.
Because the stitch is placed in the lower rectum, where there are virtually no pain nerves, rather than in the anus, the HALO procedure is virtually painless. Because all of the blood vessels to the piles are accurately located the operation is more successful than injection; and as the blood vessels are properly ligated rather than just looped with a band they will not dislodge, producing a better response with far less risk of bleeding after the procedure. Most patients are back to work after 24-48 hours with only a minimum of discomfort, which if there is any, is no more than a mild a throbbing in the rectum. You may drive the next day.
This procedure has been performed in Europe and North America now for a few years with excellent results. 85% of patients have a complete resolution of their symptoms and over 90% are thoroughly pleased with the result even if there are some very minor residual symptoms. This is due to the relative ease of recovery from the operation compared to more conventional treatments.
- It is a day procedure that does not require an overnight stay
- It is minimally invasive
- The procedure requires minimal aftercare
- It relieves symptoms almost immediately
- It presents good long-term results
The operation uses a miniature Doppler ultrasound device to locate all the arteries supplying the haemorrhoids as they come down from the rectum under the lining of the bowel. The device also has a small window which allows a stitch to be placed around the artery thus cutting off the blood supply to the pile. During the course of the procedure all the arteries supplying the piles are located (up to 3) and tied off. Over the subsequent days and weeks the pile shrinks away and the symptoms resolve. All stages, including stage three and stage four haemorrhoids can now be treated with this technique by the addition of an Anopexy, or Recto-Anal Repair.
Because the stitch is placed in the lower rectum, where there are virtually no pain nerves, rather than in the anus, the HALO procedure is virtually painless. Because all of the blood vessels to the piles are accurately located the operation is more successful than injection; and as the blood vessels are properly ligated rather than just looped with a band they will not dislodge, producing a better response with far less risk of bleeding after the procedure. Most patients are back to work after 24-48 hours with only a minimum of discomfort, which if there is any, is no more than a mild a throbbing in the rectum. You may drive the next day.
This procedure has been performed in Europe and North America now for a few years with excellent results. 85% of patients have a complete resolution of their symptoms and over 90% are thoroughly pleased with the result even if there are some very minor residual symptoms. This is due to the relative ease of recovery from the operation compared to more conventional treatments.
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