PROCEDURES
SURGERY FOR BENIGN ANORECTAL DISEASE
What are benign anorectal diseases?
Anorectal diseases are conditions that occur in the anus and the rectum. The most common anorectal diseases include:
- Haemorrhoids: These are swollen veins that occur in the anus and lower rectum, also called piles. Haemorrhoids are similar to varicose veins and can occur inside the rectum called internal haemorrhoids, or under the skin around the anus, called external haemorrhoids. People who have haemorrhoids/piles may experience symptoms such as bleeding during bowel movements which may be painless, severe pain, swelling around the anus and itching or irritation in the anus.
- Anal fistula: This is an abnormal tunnel that runs from under the skin which connects the anal canal to the buttocks skin. Anal fistulas normally occur due to a reaction to an anal gland which has developed a pus-filled infection, called an abscess. Signs and symptoms of an anal fistula include recurrent anal abscesses, bleeding, pain and swelling around the anus, and pain with bowel movements.
- Anal fissures: These are small tears in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) which lines the anus. An anal fissure can occur when you pass large or hard stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures may cause symptoms such as pain during and after bowel movements, visible crack on the skin around the anus, blood on stool or toilet paper after a bowel movement, and a small lump or skin tag on the skin near the anal fissure.
What does surgery entail?
Surgery is normally recommended when conservative treatment has been exhausted. Dr Moodley may perform the following surgery depending on your condition:
- Haemorrhoidectomy: This is a surgical procedure which involves the surgeon making incisions on the tissue around the haemorrhoid, and the swollen vein is tied off to prevent bleeding. Haemorrhoid will then be removed, and the incisions are then stitched close.
- Stapled Haemorrhoidectomy/procedure for prolapsing haemorrhoids (PPH): This procedure involves the use of a circular stapling device which removes a ring of haemorrhoid tissue and mucosa in the upper anal canal
- Anal fissure surgery: This surgical procedure is recommended for chronic anal fissures that are resistant to other treatments or if the symptoms are severe. Anal fissure surgery includes lateral internal sphincterotomy, a procedure which involves the surgeon cutting a small portion of the anal sphincter muscle in order to reduce pain and spasm and allow the anal fissure to heal.