Hemorrhoidal pathology is a common disorder that can significantly diminish the quality of life of patients who suffer from it. Despite being a common pathology, it is essential to make a correct diagnosis and a complete evaluation of the magnitude of the problem to define a correct treatment strategy, so an assessment by a specialist in General Surgery and Proctology is essential. Within the treatment possibilities, there are multiple alternatives, since the treatment must be adapted to the type and degree of hemorrhoids, and it would be a mistake to propose the same treatment systematically for all hemorrhoidal pathology, regardless of the condition of the patients.
​
Surgical treatment of hemorrhoids
Among the surgical treatment options, hemorrhoidal band ligation stands out, also called hemorrhoidal banding, generally indicated for low-grade hemorrhoids. It consists of placing an elastic band at the base of the hemorrhoid to achieve ischemia, that is, to eliminate the blood flow of the hemorrhoid, until the devitalized tissue is detached between three and seven days. Through this process, practically painless, the hemorrhoid can be treated on an outpatient basis (in the same office), without requiring specific preparation.
How is hemorrhoidectomy performed?
Another recommended technique is hemorrhoidectomy, which consists of removing the affected hemorrhoids. It is the classic treatment for hemorrhoidal pathology and is mainly indicated for higher grade hemorrhoids, in which hemorrhoidal ligation may be insufficient.
Other novel techniques
Among the newest techniques, Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal dearterialization stands out. This technique uses Doppler technology to locate the blood supply to the hemorrhoid and then sutures are used to exclude this blood supply. Once the suture has been performed, the intervention can be completed with another suture retracting the hemorrhoid inwards to avoid its prolapse.
Benefits of the techniques
The main advantage of hemorrhoidal dearterialization is that, since it does not involve the removal of tissue, postoperative pain can be greatly reduced, making it an ideal technique in cases where it is indicated. In short, there are numerous alternatives in the treatment of hemorrhoidal pathology, so it is essential to find the best treatment for each type of patient.