Hemorrhoids (cont.)
Nonoperative procedures for internal hemorrhoids
There are several nonoperative treatments for internal hemorrhoids. All of them
have the same effect. These procedures cause inflammation in the hemorrhoidal
cushions, which then produces scarring. The scarring causes the cushions to
shrink and attach to the underlying muscle of the anal canal. This prevents the
cushions from being pulled down into the anal canal. These treatments do not
require anesthesia since they do not cause pain. (The treated area contains only
visceral nerves.)
Sclerotherapy: Sclerotherapy
is one of the oldest forms of treatment. During sclerotherapy, a liquid (phenol
or quinine urea) is injected into the base of
the hemorrhoid. Inflammation sets in, and ultimately scarring takes place. Pain
may occur after sclerotherapy but usually subsides by the following day.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids frequently return after several years and may require
further treatment.
Rubber band ligation: The
principle of ligation with rubber bands is to encircle the base of the
hemorrhoidal anal cushion with a tight rubber band. The tissue cut off by the
rubber band dies and is replaced by an ulcer that heals with scarring. It can be
used with first-, second-, and third-degree hemorrhoids and may be more
effective than sclerotherapy. Symptoms frequently recur several years later but
usually can be treated with further ligation. The recurrence of
symptoms may be less with ligation than with sclerotherapy.
The most common complication of ligation is pain, which
may occur slightly more often than with sclerotherapy, but it tends to be mild.
Bleeding one or two weeks after ligation occurs occasionally and can be severe.
Bacterial infection
may begin in the tissues surrounding the anal canal (cellulitis). Rarely, the
infection spreads to the tissues within the pelvis and results in an abscess, or
the infection may enter the bloodstream (sepsis). Infectious complications
may be more common in patients who have defective immune systems, for example, from AIDS, cancer,
chemotherapy, or severe
diabetes.
Heat coagulation: There are several treatments that use heat to kill
hemorrhoidal tissue and promote inflammation and scarring, including bipolar
diathermy, direct-current electrotherapy, and infrared photocoagulation. Such
procedures kill the tissues in and around the hemorrhoids and cause scar tissue
to form. They are used with first-, second-, and third-degree hemorrhoids. Pain
is frequent, though probably less frequent than with ligation, and bleeding
occasionally occurs. Sclerotherapy, ligation, and heat coagulation are all good
options for the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy uses
cold temperatures to obliterate the veins and
cause inflammation and scarring. It is more time consuming, associated with more
posttreatment pain, and is less effective than other treatments. Therefore, this
procedure is not commonly used.
Next: Surgical procedures »
- hydrocortisone-rectal suppository, Anucort-HC, Anusol-HC, Cort-Dome - Consumer information about the medication HYDROCORTISONE - RECTAL SUPPOSITORY (Anucort-HC, Anusol-HC, Cort-Dome), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug HYDROCORTISONE - RECTAL SUPPOSITORY.
- Colonoscopy - Learn about the colonscopy procedure, what it is, why it is performed, preparation, complications, alternatives and the after effects of the screening exam on MedicineNet.com
- Rectal Bleeding - Rectal bleeding can be a sign of several different conditions including hemorrhoids, anal fisure, colitis, and more.
Latest Medical News
Digestion RSS