Our Summary

This study looks at a surgical procedure for treating severe, circular hemorrhoids. The researchers reviewed cases of patients who underwent a modified version of a surgery known as Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy, which involves removing the hemorrhoids.

205 patients were part of the study and the average surgery time was around an hour. On average, patients stayed in the hospital for about 4-5 days after surgery. Some patients experienced issues such as difficulty urinating, a feeling of incomplete bowel movements, loss of bowel control, and infection at the surgical site. However, these complications were generally short-term and resolved over time.

In the long-term, a few patients experienced mild complications such as a narrowing of the anal canal or an abnormal outward turning of the mucous membrane lining the anus. However, none of these patients required further surgery, and none of the patients had their hemorrhoids come back.

The study also compared the modified Whitehead procedure with a partial hemorrhoidectomy, which involves only removing part of the hemorrhoids. None of the patients who underwent the modified Whitehead procedure had any hemorrhoids left after surgery, while some patients who underwent the partial procedure did. Some patients also had their hemorrhoids return after the partial procedure. However, similar rates of complications were seen between the two procedures.

Overall, the researchers concluded that the modified Whitehead procedure is a safe and effective treatment for severe, circular hemorrhoids. They did not find it to significantly increase the risk of anal canal narrowing or abnormal turning of the anal lining. However, they recommend further studies to confirm their findings.

FAQs

  1. What is a Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy?
  2. What are some potential complications of a Whitehead hemorrhoidectomy?
  3. How does a modified Whitehead procedure compare to a partial hemorrhoidectomy in terms of effectiveness and complications?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about hemorrhoidectomy is to make sure to follow post-operative care instructions closely. This may include taking pain medication as prescribed, keeping the area clean and dry, and avoiding activities that could put strain on the surgical site. It is also important to eat a high-fiber diet, stay hydrated, and avoid straining during bowel movements to help prevent recurrence of hemorrhoids. Lastly, it is important to attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor healing and address any concerns.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for a hemorrhoidectomy are those with severe, circular hemorrhoids that have not responded to conservative treatments such as dietary changes, fiber supplements, and topical medications. These patients may be experiencing symptoms such as pain, bleeding, itching, and difficulty with bowel movements. Additionally, patients who have recurrent hemorrhoids or large hemorrhoids that are causing significant discomfort may also be candidates for a hemorrhoidectomy. It is important for patients to discuss their symptoms and treatment options with their healthcare provider to determine if a hemorrhoidectomy is the appropriate course of treatment for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before the hemorrhoidectomy:

  • Patient experiences symptoms of hemorrhoids such as pain, itching, bleeding, and discomfort during bowel movements
  • Consultation with a doctor to discuss treatment options
  • Pre-operative tests and preparation for surgery

After the hemorrhoidectomy:

  • Patient undergoes surgery, typically lasting around an hour
  • Hospital stay for 4-5 days on average
  • Short-term complications such as difficulty urinating, incomplete bowel movements, loss of bowel control, and infection at the surgical site may occur
  • Long-term complications such as narrowing of the anal canal or abnormal turning of the anal lining may occur in some cases
  • Some patients may require further surgery if complications arise
  • Hemorrhoids are completely removed in most cases, reducing the likelihood of recurrence
  • Recovery period with follow-up appointments to monitor healing and address any issues

Overall, the hemorrhoidectomy procedure aims to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life by removing the hemorrhoids. It is important for patients to follow post-operative care instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a successful recovery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about hemorrhoidectomy include:

  1. What are the risks and potential complications associated with the surgery?
  2. How long will the surgery take and how long will I need to stay in the hospital?
  3. What is the expected recovery time and when can I return to normal activities?
  4. Will I experience any long-term issues or complications after the surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could be considered?
  6. What can I do to prepare for the surgery and improve my chances of a successful outcome?
  7. How likely is it that my hemorrhoids will come back after the surgery?
  8. What follow-up care will be required after the surgery?
  9. Are there any lifestyle changes or dietary recommendations that can help prevent hemorrhoids in the future?
  10. How experienced are you in performing this specific type of hemorrhoidectomy procedure?

Reference

Authors: Liu X, Sheng B, Zhang J, Wang J, Yu J, Zhang G, Dai F, Su H, Xu J, Hu W, Li T, Zhu P. Journal: Heliyon. 2024 Mar 20;10(7):e28465. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28465. eCollection 2024 Apr 15. PMID: 38596109