Hemorrhoid surgery is the surgical removal of hemorrhoids and excess tissue around the hemorrhoid. Surgery is not generally indicated to treat mild to moderate hemorrhoids unless patients develop certain conditions, such as persistent bleeding, clots repeatedly forming in external hemorrhoids, protruding hemorrhoids that cannot be reduced in size, or when other treatments fail. Surgery is the most complete method for removal of internal and external hemorrhoids.
Pain
Pain is a common complication or side effect following hemorrhoid surgery, as with any surgery. However, severe pain can occur if the internal muscles of the sphincter are damaged during hemorrhoid surgery. The degree of pain varies among patients and is typically relieved by over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers.
Bleeding
Following hemorrhoid surgery, patients may experience delayed bleeding 7 to 16 days after the surgery, according to Southwest Surgical Associates. Bleeding may be caused by the shedding of tissue at the site of the surgery and may need to be closed or repaired with stitches.
Urinary Incontinence and Retention
If the internal muscles of the sphincter are damaged during surgery, it can cause short-term or long-term urinary incontinence, notes floridacolonandrectaldoctors.com. Another complication of hemorrhoid surgery is urinary retention, or difficulty emptying the bladder. According to Southwest Surgical Associates, the degree of urinary retention can depend on the amount of fluids given during and after surgery, the degree of pain the patient experiences and whether the patient has a history of difficulty emptying the bladder. Patients with urinary retention following surgery may require a catheter to drain the bladder. Urinary retention also increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
Fecal Impaction
Fecal impaction occurs when a mass of hardened feces becomes lodged in the rectum. This may be due to pain in the anal area following hemorrhoid surgery, which worsens with defecation, causing patients to hold in bowel movements. A common side effect of narcotic pain medicine is constipation, which can also cause a fecal impaction.
Anal Stenosis
Anal stenosis is the narrowing of the anal canal and is a long-term complication. It can be a result of the removal of too much tissue around the hemorrhoids during surgery. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, anal stenosis occurs as a complication in 0 to 6 percent of all hemorrhoid surgeries.
References
- Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology: Hemorrhoids
- Southwest Surgical Associates: Hemorrhoid Surgery
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons: Hemorrhoids
- pphinfo.com: Risks and Complications of the Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids
- American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons: Hemorrhoids & Fissure-in-Ano
