For many patients, hemorrhoids are merely an annoyance and will resolve on their own with simple care. But when a hemorrhoid becomes serious enough, a patient will come to your office seeking treatment — and perhaps surgery.
But when will a hemorrhoid require surgery? There are several factors you should take into consideration based on the type of hemorrhoid the patient has and the types of treatment options used in the past.
When They Don’t Respond To Non-Surgical Options
Review your patient’s medical history and ask them about past hemorrhoid treatments they’ve used, if any. Determine if they have treated the hemorrhoid via home remedies or non-surgical options and whether they have seen results. If not, surgery may be required.
It is preferable to first treat the hemorrhoid with non-surgical options like rubber band ligation, as they are easy to perform and highly effective. However, if the hemorrhoid does not respond to these treatments, is recurrent, or of a high grade, surgery must be considered.
When The Hemorrhoid Prolapses
It is important to remember that not every hemorrhoid that prolapses requires surgery. For example, in Grade II and III hemorrhoids, the prolapsed hemorrhoid can go back in on its own or be pushed back in. However, when the hemorrhoid has reached Grade IV, it cannot be pushed back in and is often quite painful for the patient, requiring medical intervention.
Grade IV hemorrhoids will require surgery in order to reverse the problem.
Discuss Hemorrhoid Treatment Options With Your Patients
Before committing to surgery, it is critical that you determine that hemorrhoid surgery will benefit patients and discuss treatment options with them to help allay any fears they may have.
Hemorrhoid surgeries are generally outpatient procedures performed in a hospital, and the patient can be sent home that day after observation. Be sure to educate patients and their loved ones about post-surgery care and what to do if they experience fever or any other unusual symptoms.
