MedicineNet.com

Take the Hemorrhoids Quiz!

Medical Author:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

View Full Profile

Medical Editor:

Thomas P. Sokol, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Thomas P. Sokol, MD, FACS, FASCRS

Thomas P. Sokol, MD received his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School in 1980. He went on to his general surgical residency at Harbor/UCLA Medical Center and then to the Carle Clinic/ University of Illinois for Fellowship Training in Colon and Rectal Surgery.

View Full Profile

In this Article

• What are hemorrhoids?
• What is stapled hemorrhoidectomy?
• Who is a good candidate for stapled hemorrhoidectomy?
• Pictures of stapled hemorrhoidectomy procedure
• What happens to the staples from a stapled hemorrhoidectomy?
• How long does stapled hemorrhoidectomy take?
• Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy Index
• Find a local Surgeon in your town

Pictures of stapled hemorrhoidectomy procedure

Picture Internal Hemorrhoids in Anal Canal

Picture of a Hollow Tube Inserted into the Anal Canal and Pushing up the Hemorrhoids

Picture of Suturing the Anal Canal through the Hollow Tube

Picture of Bringing Expanded Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue into the Hollow Tube by Pulling on Suture

Picture of Hemorrhoids Pulled Back Above Anal Canal after Stapling and Removal of Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue

What happens to the staples from a stapled hemorrhoidectomy?

During stapled hemorrhoidectomy, the arterial blood vessels that travel within the expanded hemorrhoidal tissue and feed the hemorrhoidal vessels are cut, thereby reducing the blood flow to the hemorrhoidal vessels and reducing the size of the hemorrhoids. During the healing of the cut tissues around the staples, scar tissue forms, and this scar tissue anchors the hemorrhoidal cushions in their normal position higher in the anal canal. The staples are needed only until the tissue heals. They then fall off and pass in the stool unnoticed after several weeks. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy is designed primarily to treat internal hemorrhoids, but if external hemorrhoids are present, they may be reduced as well.