In my many years as a proctologist, I have met countless patients who have struggled with hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids may sound like a minor problem, but for those who suffer from it, it can have a significant impact. One of the most important questions that many patients are concerned about when faced with the choice of surgery is: "Will the surgery be painful?" After all, everyone wants to be able to reduce the pain of the disease while avoiding the pain of the surgery itself.
Today, I would like to share a case that impressed me about a patient named Mr. Zhang. Mr. Cheung, a middle-aged accountant, suffered from hemorrhoids due to long hours in the office and irregular eating habits. At first, he only felt occasional discomfort in his anus, but it didn't take long for the symptoms to get worse and even affect his work and life. Eventually, under the dual pressure of pain and impaired quality of life, Mr. Zhang decided to come to our hospital for help.
At the initial consultation, Mr. Zhang expressed his concern about the pain of the surgery. He had heard that traditional hemorrhoid surgery was very painful, which made him hesitate. To alleviate Mr. Zhang's concerns, I introduced him to our painless surgical technique – an approach that uses advanced laser and minimally invasive techniques that not only greatly reduces the pain during surgery, but also shortens the recovery period and reduces post-operative discomfort.
After detailed explanations and preparations, Mr. Zhang finally chose to undergo this painless surgery. During the surgery, he hardly felt any discomfort and his recovery was very smooth. A few weeks later, he returned to his normal work-life track and once again experienced a comfortable life without hemorrhoids.
Introduction to hemorrhoids
As a proctologist, I often meet patients who seek medical treatment for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are pathological dilations of blood vessels inside and outside the anal canal that are common in adults, especially those in occupations who stand or sit for long periods of time. Depending on the location and degree of development of hemorrhoids, we usually divide them into three types: internal, external, and mixed.
Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the anus and may be asymptomatic at first, but as the disease progresses, blood in the stool or prolapse may occur. External hemorrhoids form on the outside of the anus and are prone to pain and discomfort, especially when sitting. Mixed hemorrhoids are a combination of internal and external hemorrhoids, and the symptoms are more complex and varied.
The main symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain, itching, or discomfort in the anal area, especially during bowel movements. Severe hemorrhoids can lead to bleeding from the anus, which is often the direct cause of the patient's medical attention. Long-term untreated hemorrhoids can cause eczema or infection of the perianal skin, making treatment more difficult.
In addition to causing physical discomfort to patients, hemorrhoids can also affect the mental health and quality of life of patients. Many patients are too embarrassed to talk about the disease, delaying the best time for treatment. Therefore, raising awareness and early intervention for hemorrhoids is very necessary.
When dealing with hemorrhoids, we emphasize an integrated approach that includes dietary modification, regular exercise, and appropriate medical intervention. Treatment will vary depending on the type and degree of hemorrhoids. From simple medical treatments to complex surgical interventions, choosing the right treatment strategy is critical to effectively managing haemorrhoids.
Traditional hemorrhoids surgery
As a proctologist, I have dealt with countless cases of hemorrhoids over the years. Hemorrhoids, despite being a common disease, are still a concern for many patients. Before introducing modern painless surgical methods, it is very important for both patients and medical providers to understand traditional surgical methods.
What is Traditional Hemorrhoid Surgery?
Traditional hemorrhoid surgery, often referred to as open hemorrhoidectomy or Milligan-Morgan procedure, is a time-honored treatment. This surgery is mainly used to treat severe internal and external hemorrhoids, especially if they cause severe discomfort or complications such as bleeding or incarceration.
Surgical steps
Anesthesia: The surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia to ensure that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
Removal of hemorrhoids: Doctors precisely remove the diseased hemorrhoids and the corresponding vascular plexus. This step requires delicate techniques to control bleeding.
Wound management: In traditional open surgery, the wound may not be completely sutured, but will be left partially open to facilitate drainage and healing.
Possible pain and discomfort
Due to the relatively large trauma of the surgery, patients may experience significant pain and discomfort after the surgery. The pain after hemorrhoid surgery is mainly due to the inflammatory response in the wound area and the exposure of sensitive nerve endings.
Pain Management
Although traditional surgery may bring some degree of pain, modern medicine reduces patient discomfort through effective pain management strategies. This includes:
Medications: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids are used to manage postoperative pain.
Local cold compresses: Applying cold compresses after surgery can be effective in reducing inflammation and pain.
Bid-water baths: Warm bid-baths can help reduce discomfort in the anal area and promote blood circulation and healing.
Introduction to painless hemorrhoids surgery techniques
After working in proctology for many years, I understand that many patients are apprehensive about the pain of hemorrhoid surgery. But advances in modern medicine have led to painless surgical techniques that can significantly reduce surgical pain and make the recovery process more comfortable. Here are some of the mainstream painless hemorrhoid surgery methods and how they can help patients with less pain.
1. Laser surgery
Laser surgery is a very popular painless hemorrhoid treatment. This procedure uses a specific wavelength laser to precisely remove the hemorrhoid tissue while promoting immediate healing of the surrounding tissue. The thermal effect of the laser can also seal the small blood vessels at the incision, reducing intraoperative bleeding. Due to the precision of the laser, this method minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue, thereby reducing postoperative pain.
2. PPH (Ring Stapler Excision)
PPH is another modern hemorrhoidal surgical technique that is particularly suitable for internal hemorrhoids. In this procedure, a special instrument, a ring stapler, is used to pull the protruding hemorrhoidal tissue into the instrument and remove it, and the anastomosis is performed immediately. This procedure is not only efficient, but also reduces the pain of the procedure because it is mainly performed inside the painless rectum. PPH surgery has a short recovery time and a significant reduction in postoperative discomfort.
3. Sclerotherapy
Sclerotherapy is mainly used to treat small hemorrhoids that are not suitable for traditional surgery. By injecting a chemical into the hemorrhoid tissue, it causes tissue fibrosis, causing the hemorrhoids to shrink and eventually fall off. This method is simple, less painful, and can be performed on an outpatient basis without the need for general anaesthesia.
4. Film electrocoagulation
Film electrocoagulation uses a high-frequency electric current to act directly on hemorrhoids through special film electrodes, causing them to coagulate and fall off. This method is less invasive to the patient and feels little to no pain, making it a newer painless treatment option.