Hemorrhoid cauterization is one of the most common hemorrhoid surgical procedures out there, and hemorrhoid cauterization is one of the gentler procedures as well.

However, it is good to keep in mind, that hemorrhoids aren’t usually a severe health problem, and the vast majority of hemorrhoids can be and usually are successfully treated at home without surgical intervention. However, from time to time a case of hemorrhoids gets so bad that surgical intervention is a necessity, and hemorrhoid cauterization is certainly one worth considering. Naturally, hemorrhoids surgery should not be the first line of therapy, but if your doctor has told you that you need some sort of hemorrhoids surgical procedure, then it’s worth your time to investigate the surgeries available.

 

History of Hemorrhoid Cauterization

Hemorrhoid cauterization is a very old technique that even dates back to ancient Greece. The Grecians apparently thought so much of hemorrhoid cauterization that they made artworks depicting the practice, presumably so that their descendants wouldn’t forget how it was done. Back in ancient times, doctors used actual cautery for hemorrhoids cauterization. Actual cautery involves a piece of white hot metal that’s applied to the the hemorrhoid. In addition, back then hemorrhoid cauterization was usually done without anesthetic. It speaks volumes about hemorrhoids pain that some people were willing to undergo hemorrhoids cauterization in order to get rid of their hemorrhoids for good. Fortunately, we have much more pleasant options available to us today, including more precise instruments and the possibility of really good anesthesia.

Basically, cauterization is a medical practice or technique that involves burning a part of the body to remove or close off a part of it, destroying some tissue in order to create a seal. It’s usually done as an attempt to mitigate damage, remove an undesired growth, or to minimize infections. These last two are the advantages for hemorrhoids cauterization. Hemorrhoids cauterization basically removes the hemorrhoid, an undesired growth, and minimizes infections in that extremely infection prone area.

As frightening as it may sound, when it’s done properly hemorrhoid cauterization isn’t any more painful than any other hemorrhoid surgical procedure. In addition, many of the hemorrhoid cauterization techniques have a much shorter recovery time than more severe and extreme forms of hemorrhoid surgery. All in all, hemorrhoid cauterization is often worth any time you take to investigate its potential.

 

Hemorrhoid Cauterization Procedures

There are several different techniques available in modern medicine for hemorrhoid cauterization, all of which are usually done under partial anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. That basically means that you can go home the same day as you got the hemorrhoids cauterization procedure done without a hospital stay as long as you handle the hemorrhoids cauterization procedure well and without complications. Most hemorrhoid cauterization doctors will want you to have someone to help you home instead of letting you go alone.

Before you get a hemorrhoid cauterization procedure done, your hemorrhoid cauterization surgeon will generally have a bit of a pre-operative procedure for you to go through. You will usually have to go in to a conference with your doctor and the office staff to get ready for the hemorrhoid cauterization. You should take the names of all medications and supplements you’re currently taking, including herbal supplements, vitamins, and over the counter medications. Your hemorrhoid cauterization surgeon will evaluate all of them and tell you which ones you need to stop taking for a bit before your hemorrhoid cauterization procedure. Some medications and supplements may interact badly with the anesthesia medication or even with the hemorrhoids cauterization procedure itself. You may also have to be on a special diet for a few days or take some special medication to get the area cleaned out first. Remember to follow all pre-operative instructions precisely in order to ensure the best possible outcome for your hemorrhoid cauterization procedure.

On the day of the hemorrhoid cauterization procedure, you will often arrive at the office or operating theater several hours before your procedure is scheduled. The preparation for a hemorrhoid cauterization procedure can often take some time, including getting you dressed, draped and cleaned up properly and administering anesthesia early enough that it’s fully active by the time of the procedure’s beginning.

After the hemorrhoids cauterization procedure is complete and your doctor’s staff has made sure that you’re ok to go home, you’ll also often be given some post-operative instructions and prescriptions. You may have some prescriptions for pain relievers or antibiotics. If you get a prescription for antibiotics it’s important to take them exactly as instructed. Pain relieves can generally be taken on an “as needed” basis. You may also be given instructions on how to clean and care for the hemorrhoid cauterization area, along with some possible restrictions on activity. Naturally, all of these hemorrhoid cauterization post-operative instructions should be followed as closely as possible.

 

Types of Hemorrhoid Cauterization

Hemorrhoid Infrared Coagulation (IRC for hemorrhoids) is one of the most common forms of hemorrhoid cauterization. In essence, infrared light is applied to the hemorrhoidal area to make the blood supply coagulate in and around the hemorrhoid. This coagulation deprives the hemorrhoid of all blood flow in or out, which eventually makes the hemorrhoid shrivel up and slough off. The body isn’t pierced at all with this type of hemorrhoid cauterization, though misaiming the light can cause blood coagulation in unexpected and undesired areas.

Electrocautery is another common form of hemorrhoid cauterization. Basically electric hemorrhoid cauterization uses an electric current passed through a specialized instrument to cause enough heat to cauterize the hemorrhoid in question. The instrument used for electric hemorrhoid cauterization is extremely fine and can achieve nearly surgical levels of precision. In addition, the area is thoroughly anesthetized before electri hemorrhoid cauterization is attempted. Needless to say, if the electric hemorrhoid cauterization instrument isn’t handled very well, deep and extensive tissue damage can easily result.

Injection sclerotherapy is a form of chemical hemorrhoid cauterization where particular chemicals are carefully injected into the hemorrhoid to make the blood supply coagulate. The end result of chemical hemorrhoid cauterization is basically the same as infrared coagulation hemorrhoid cauterization. The advantage of chemical hemorrhoid cauterization is that it can be used on people with delicate health or a lot of tiny hemorrhoids instead of large ones. Of course, if the injection isn’t done correctly then the chemicals used for this form of hemorrhoid cauterization can get into other tissues and cause problems.

 

Hemorrhoid Cauterization Safety And Precautions

The potential side effects of hemorrhoid cauterization are largely the same as any hemorrhoids surgical procedure. Pain, bleeding, infection, shock, and deep tissue damage are all immediate potential side effects. Fecal incontinence and hemorrhoid recurrence are longer term possible side effects of hemorrhoid cauterization. On the bright side, the incidence of side effects from hemorrhoid cauterization is directly related to the competence of the surgeon you use, so it really pays to do your research and find a good hemorrhoid cauterization surgeon.

There are a couple of pros about hemorrhoid cauterization. Hemorrhoid cauterization is much less extreme and less severe than full hemorrhoidectomy, and doesn’t threaten as many possible side effects. Hemorrhoid cauterization also doesn’t usually take as much recovery time. Hemorrhoid cauterization can also sometimes be done instead of a full hemorrhoidectomy with proper effort and a good hemorrhoids prevention plan on the part of the patient. Considering that a hemorrhoids prevention plan is usually a necessity anyway, putting the time and effort in to avoid a hemorrhoidectomy is generally an excellent idea.

Of course, with every good thing there are a few disadvantages. One of the major problems with hemorrhoid cauterization is that the recurrence rate is higher than with a full hemorrhoidectomy because the weakened tissue around the hemorrhoid is left behind. That weakened tissue will often balloon outwards into new hemorrhoids without a lot of provocation. All it really takes is your abdominal blood pressure getting sufficiently high and you’ll have a brand new set of hemorrhoids. Another disadvantage is that hemorrhoid cauterization can usually only be done on a first and second degree internal hemorrhoids. The coagulation techniques don’t work well on larger internal hemorrhoids because they don’t get all of the blood coagulated and the blood supply cut off completely. And, naturally, hemorrhoid cauterization doesn’t work on external hemorrhoids at all.

 

Hemorrhoid Cauterization Conclusion

Hemorrhoid cauterization offers a great hemorrhoid solution to a specific set of hemorrhoid sufferers. If you’ve got first or second degree internal hemorrhoids that you just can’t seem to get rid of no matter how hard you try, then hemorrhoid cauterization may be a good option for you. Of course, it’s important to try and fix them up at home first as much as possible. You should already have an overall hemorrhoids plan that includes a hemorrhoids diet, appropriate exercise program, and other hemorrhoids remedies to cure as much as possible without hemorrhoid cauterization. Then, if you do need hemorrhoid cauterization, you’ve already got everything else in place to make sure that you’ll get the best outcome you possibly can.

 

Hemorrhoid Cauterization References

Tabor’s cyclopedic medical dictionary

 

Research and main write by Loni L. Ice, minor editing by D. S. Urquhart.