Hemorrhoids are natural in our body and help in anal continence and defecation. However, when there is a change in the physiological condition of the hemorrhoidal plexus they begin to cause discomfort. Minimally invasive surgery for hemorrhoids allows them to be treated in a practically painless way, with outpatient intervention and with few recurrences.
Hemorrhoids: what are they?
Hemorrhoids are a fundamental element of the anorectal system. In fact, they are bundles and formations of angioma-cavernous tissue, i.e. arteries and veins. These tissues are supported by elastic and muscular tissue. They have a physiological function that contributes to anal continence through closure/restraint in resting conditions and to defecation by promoting the expulsion of the fecal bolus by sliding along the mucosa. We can speak of a hemorrhoidal disease when the physiological condition of the hemorrhoidal plexus suffers a modification: the tissues that support the hemorrhoids do not resist, causing a prolapse or bleeding.
Minimally Invasive Hemorrhoid Surgery
This is an innovative surgical operation in General Surgery for the treatment of hemorrhoids, characterized by being minimally invasive and with little painful impact. The THD method consists of suturing with surgical stitches the hemorrhoidal artery that carries the blood flow to the hemorrhoidal bundles. This intervention is combined with pexy of the muco-hemorrhoidal prolapse. This means that, in the same operation, the prolapsed mucosa is returned to its original position, relieving one of the typical symptoms of the advanced stages of the disease.
Advantages of minimally invasive surgery
There are certain advantages of the THD method over other techniques:
- The hemorrhoidal tissue is not removed and the anatomy of the anal canal remains unaltered. This allows the possibility of performing other operations in the anorectal canal in the future and preserving the anatomical parts responsible for continence.
- The operation is quite painless, as no tissue is removed and the suture is made above the dentate line, in an area without sensitive nerve endings.
- The patient is hospitalized and discharged within 24 hours after the operation.
- Work is resumed 2-3 days after the operation.
- The recurrence rate is very low.
Patients recommended for
The THD method of minimally invasive surgery can be used to treat second, third and fourth degree hemorrhoids, including those that are bleeding.
Postoperative minimally invasive hemorrhoid surgery
The patient must rest for one or two days. The operated person may notice a feeling of heaviness and discomfort immediately after the operation, symptoms that gradually diminish after a few days and can be kept under control with common painkillers. After 48 hours the patient will be able to resume normal life.
On the other hand, there are usually no serious complications: the appearance of slight bleeding, which will cease within a few hours, or a feeling of urgency to defecate immediately after the operation, which is also transitory.
No special medical therapies are necessary, but a diet rich in liquids and fiber is advisable to promote soft stools, eliminating the trauma of the fecal bolus in the anal canal.