What to Do if Hemorrhoid Surgery Doesn't Work

For many chronic hemorrhoids sufferers, hemorrhoid surgery is often a last resort option. So what can you do if hemorrhoid surgery doesn't work? Fortunately there are now myriad numbers of treatment options and non-invasive procedures that can be used to treat even the most stubborn cases of hemorrhoids. If conventional surgery fails to get rid of your hemorrhoids for good, speak to your doctor about other viable treatment options.

Here is a quick run-down of the latest treatment options. If you find that conventional surgery is not effective in your case, speak to your doctor about these procedures. The success of any of these procedures depends heavily on each individual case. Some procedures are aimed at removing internal hemorrhoids, while some are strictly reserved to external hemorrhoids.

Rubber band ligation.  Rubber band ligation involves using a rubber band to cut off the circulation of a hemorrhoid. A rubber band is wrapped around the base of the hemorrhoid, thus effectively cutting off its blood supply. After a few days, the hemorrhoid gradually begins to shrink. Finally, the hemorrhoid drops off, 'sloughing off' by itself an average of five days after the procedure. During the course of this procedure, patients recommend a feeling of 'tightness.' Also, it is not uncommon to see residual bleeding after the hemorrhoid has been sloughed off. Rubber band ligation has proved successful in difficult to treat cases that have not responded to conventional treatments. Rubber band ligation is usually referred for cases where the hemorrhoids have prolapsed, or have become filled with blood clots. Rubber band ligation is also generally reserved for internal hemorrhoids.

Sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves a doctor injecting chemicals directly
Into a hemorrhoid in order to cut off its circulation. As in rubber band ligation, the chemical solution effectively cuts off the blood supply of the hemorrhoid, and it gradually shrinks.

Hemorrhoidectomy. A hemorrhoidectomy is the most common form of surgical removal of hemorrhoids. Although this surgery has proven to be very effective, it can result in considerable anal scarring. Sometimes, this scarring may even interfere with normal bowel movement.

Laser, bipolar, and infrared coagulation. Collectively regarded as coagulation therapies, these procedures all have to do with destroying hemorrhoids with infrared light or lasers. The results of these types of procedures are that the hemorrhoids become hard and coagulate. Scar tissue is formed, but usually does not interfere with bowel movements.

These procedures constitute the cutting edge of hemorrhoid therapy. Although these types of therapies have shown to be not quite as effective as rubber band ligation, they nonetheless have a high success rate. Also, coagulation therapies have proven to have fewer side effects than almost any other type of procedure. Laser, infrared, and bipolar coagulation therapies are typically reserved to grade 1 and grade 2 internal hemorrhoids.

 Always speak to your doctor openly about your concerns regarding hemorrhoid treatment procedures. With new procedures being developed all the time, there is a good chance that your health care professional can find the right hemorrhoid surgery or treatment option for your specific circumstances.